An inspector attached to the Vijayapura police station on the outskirts of the city has been suspended after he was allegedly recorded on tape intimidating an accused in a cheating case and demanding money.
Inquiry
Inspector-General of Police (Central Range) Amar Kumar Pandey said circle inspector Venugopal was suspended on the charge of official misconduct and a departmental inquiry had been initiated against him.
Harrassment
Mr. Venugopal was allegedly harassing the accused, Manjunath, a land dealer from Sidlaghatta, by demanding Rs. 10 lakh as bribe to drop all charges against him. Mr. Manjunath haggled and brought down the amount to Rs. 5 lakh, and paid half of that as advance.
However, he delayed paying the rest as he feared that the inspector would be transferred in the run-up to the Assembly elections.
Threatening
Furious at this, Mr. Venugopal called him and threatened him that he would be arrested if he did not pay up. Fearing the consequences, Mr. Manjunath, who had recorded their interaction, approached the police seeking help.
