PUTTUR: The Puttur police have been accused of illegally detaining and then torturing a youth in a police station for four long days after taking him into custody in connection with a theft case.
The youth Kalandar Shafi (25), son of Abbas of Puttur Darbe, has presently been admitted to Puttur Government Hospital.
It is learnt the cops had taken Kalandar into custody on March 24 when the latter, a painter by profession was returning home via the Mahalingeshwara Temple fields, saying that a certain Padmanabha Sediyapu has complained against him for being involved in the case of the theft in MP DV Sadananda Gowda’s house. It is learnt even the family of the youth were kept in the dark regarding his arrest.
It has now been alleged that the cops who detained the youth had tortured him for four days continuously. “I was caned in lathi in the station and kicked by the cops ; they even pricked me with cigarette butts and I have sustained burn injuries on my hands, legs and chest. Chilly powder was thrown at my eyes during night and then I was thrashed. They have tortured me by not even providing me water to drink,†alleges Kalandar Shafi.
It is learnt the police on March 27 got his signature in a blank paper after saying “You got beatings for no reason. Don’t reveal the matter before anyone lest you will be fixed in case,†and then asked him to return home.
It is learnt, police arrested Kalandar Shafi and one Padmanabha Siriya as per the revelations made by Padamanabha who was arrested in connection with a case of theft near Puttur Railway Station. Padmanabha Siriya, it is learnt was released the very next day of his arrest.
The act of the Puttur police in subjecting an innocent to harassment, after being unable to apprehend the accused in the several cases of thefts in Puttur, has caused much anguish in public circles.
SI denies brutality charges
Meanwhile, Puttur Town SI Srikanth referring to the case said “ We had arrested Shafi on Friday on the basis of the complaint by one Padmanabha. It is true that the youth was hit on his hands and legs during interrogation. But we have not thrown chilly powder on his eyes and tortured him. He has been released on Saturday evening. Had he been injured, then he should have got himself admitted to the Hospital then itself. This is an allegation with ulterior motives against the police.â€
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