The district police have started the paperwork to takeover the properties of those who have been absconding after being accused in the violence at a toll plaza at Brahmarakootlu, near B. C. Road, recently.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a grievance meet held on Sunday, Superintendent of Police, Dakshina Kannada, Sharanappa S.D. said apart from tracking down the accused who have gone into hiding, the district police will also take the legal recourse.
“Proclamation and attachment”, mentioned under Sections 82- 86 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) allows the government, after obtaining court permission, to takeover movable and immovable properties of the absconding.
“The property, bank details, among others of the entire family can be taken if given permission. The Deputy Commissioner’s office will give us a list of their properties which we will present to the court,” said the SP.
The result, he said, will ensure the family — if they are harbouring the accused — to pressure the absconding to surrender to the police.
Similarly, the threat of filing cases under IPC 212 (harbouring an accused) will drive fear in the families to ensure the nearly 12 people still absconding surrender.
The tactic worked in the arrest of notary B.V. Keshava Bhat Bheemaguli, who was accused of printing fake stamp paper in Sullia.
Even though the complaint was registered in 2011, he was only arrested last week after the government took over his property, said Mr. Sharanappa.
After the toll gate was attacked on April 26 by a mob that was protesting the recent hike in toll there.
After perusing the CCTV footage from the booth, the police have filed an FIR against at least 15 persons – of whom only three have been arrested so far.
The SP said that the district police will start charging the contractor of the booth “soon” if security cover – currently comprising members from Bantwal Police Station and the Karnataka State
Reserve Police – for the toll plaza is asked to be extended. On the seizing of two firearms from the guards posted there by the contractor, Mr. Sharanappa said the arms were seized as the documentation given was improper.
Two arrestedMeanwhile, the Bantwal Town Police have arrested Abdul Salaam (24), an autorickshaw driver, and Mohammad Sharief (30), a fish seller, Sunday morning in connection with the violence at the toll booth.
Police said both are residents of Perlia near B.C. Road who were taking shelter at the house of an acquaintance in Kaikamba.
