The Madiga Dandora Horata Samiti staged a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Friday, accusing the Sakleshpur Rural police of torturing a fruiterer, who committed suicide recently.
Ravi Kumar (21), a native of Rajanahalli in Alur taluk, consumed poison three days ago and died at the government hospital here on Friday.
He ran a fruit stall near Hasanamba Kalakshetra. “On the way to the hospital, my son told me that he was tortured by the police. He was threatened of dire consequences if he did not help them in arresting Tanvir, an accused in theft cases, who ran a food stall next to Ravi Kumar’s,” his father Nanjaiah told The Hindu .
However, Ravi Kumar was not aware of Tanvir’s involvement in crimes.
Suspecting him to be Tanvir’s associate, the police took Ravi Kumar into custody and beat him up.
Samiti district president K.R. Vijay Kumar alleged that Sakleshpur Rural police sub-inspector B.R. Gowda and three constables were responsible for the suicide of the youth.
“The policemen should be suspended and the youth’s family given compensation of Rs. 5 lakh,” he demanded.
The parents have filed a complaint at the Hassan Town police station against the sub-inspector and three constables.
Superintendent of Police Amit Singh said the department would hold an inquiry into the allegations and take action against the policemen if they were found guilty.
