{"id":4734,"date":"2025-07-09T23:28:22","date_gmt":"2025-07-09T17:58:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=4734"},"modified":"2025-07-10T00:25:42","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T18:55:42","slug":"lokayukta-reports-rising-corruption-cases-against-bangalore-police","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=4734","title":{"rendered":"Lokayukta Reports Rising Corruption Cases Against Bangalore Police"},"content":{"rendered":"

“\u2018Pay Up or Face Arrest\u2019\u2014Migrant Workers Allege Police Extortion in Bengaluru<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

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“\u0cb2\u0ccb\u0c95\u0cbe\u0caf\u0cc1\u0c95\u0ccd\u0ca4 \u0cb5\u0cb0\u0ca6\u0cbf: \u0c95\u0cb0\u0ccd\u0ca8\u0cbe\u0c9f\u0c95\u0ca6\u0cb2\u0ccd\u0cb2\u0cbf \u0caa\u0cca\u0cb2\u0cc0\u0cb8\u0cb0 \u0cb5\u0cbf\u0cb0\u0cc1\u0ca6\u0ccd\u0ca7 \u0cad\u0ccd\u0cb0\u0cb7\u0ccd\u0c9f\u0cbe\u0c9a\u0cbe\u0cb0\u0ca6 \u0ca6\u0cc2\u0cb0\u0cc1\u0c97\u0cb3\u0cc1 \u0cb9\u0cc6\u0c9a\u0ccd\u0c9a\u0cbe\u0c97\u0cc1\u0ca4\u0ccd\u0ca4\u0cbf\u0cb5\u0cc6”<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

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Human Rights Complaint Filed Against Varthur Police<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A shocking complaint has been filed with the\u00a0State Human Rights Commission (SHRC)<\/strong>\u00a0alleging that police in\u00a0Varthur, Bengaluru<\/strong>, have been\u00a0extorting money<\/strong>\u00a0from around\u00a0100 small shopkeepers<\/strong>\u00a0in migrant labourer colonies by\u00a0threatening to book them under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The complaint, submitted on\u00a0July 3<\/strong>, includes\u00a0audio and video evidence<\/strong>\u00a0of policemen allegedly collecting bribes. The complainant, a local shopkeeper, stated that the harassment has intensified following a recent police crackdown on the sale of loose cigarettes and tobacco products in the area.<\/p>\n

\u201cCollecting bribes from shopkeepers and waste-picker labourers is not new, but the harassment has increased manyfold after the police intensified their drive against tobacco sales,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0the shopkeeper said in the complaint.<\/p>\n

Weekly and Monthly Extortion from Migrant Workers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

“\u0cb9\u0ca3 \u0c95\u0cca\u0ca1\u0cb2\u0cc7\u0cac\u0cc7\u0c95\u0cc1, \u0c87\u0cb2\u0ccd\u0cb2\u0ca6\u0cbf\u0ca6\u0ccd\u0ca6\u0cb0\u0cc6 \u0c9c\u0cc8\u0cb2\u0cc1!\u2014\u0cac\u0cc6\u0c82\u0c97\u0cb3\u0cc2\u0cb0\u0cbf\u0ca8 \u0caa\u0cca\u0cb2\u0cc0\u0cb8\u0cb0 \u0cae\u0cc7\u0cb2\u0cc6 \u0cb5\u0cb2\u0cb8\u0cc6 \u0c95\u0cbe\u0cb0\u0ccd\u0cae\u0cbf\u0c95\u0cb0 \u0ca6\u0cc2\u0cb0\u0cc1”<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The victims are primarily\u00a0migrant workers from West Bengal<\/strong>\u00a0and low-income families living in informal settlements around Varthur. According to the complaint, police have been\u00a0demanding weekly and monthly payments<\/strong>\u00a0ranging from\u00a0\u20b9200 to \u20b93,000 per shop<\/strong>, threatening arrests or false cases if the money is not paid.<\/p>\n

*\u201cPolice are collecting bribes openly from small vendors, shopkeepers, and daily-wage workers. If payments are not made, they threaten arrest or harassment. There are over 100 migrant dwellings under Varthur police limits,\u201d*\u00a0the complainant alleged.<\/p>\n

In a particularly disturbing claim, the complainant accused officers of\u00a0confiscating a fingerprint machine<\/strong>\u00a0used for labourers\u2019 documentation and demanding\u00a0\u20b923,000 for its return<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey forcibly took my fingerprint machine, which is essential for identification work. Now they are demanding \u20b923,000 to return it and are pressuring me to come to the police station. This is blatant theft and extortion,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0the complainant stated.<\/p>\n

Lokayukta Reports Rising Corruption Cases Against Police<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This complaint comes amid growing concerns over\u00a0police misconduct<\/strong>\u00a0in Bengaluru. The\u00a0Karnataka Lokayukta<\/strong>\u00a0has previously noted a\u00a0high number of corruption complaints<\/strong>\u00a0against law enforcement officials, with\u00a0bribery and duty lapses<\/strong>\u00a0being the most common allegations.<\/p>\n

In a recent case,\u00a0two policemen from Indiranagar police station<\/strong>\u00a0were\u00a0suspended<\/strong>\u00a0for allegedly\u00a0extorting \u20b937,000<\/strong>\u00a0from a differently-abled man by threatening to frame him in a\u00a0fake drug case<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

According to the victim\u2019s complaint, the officers\u2014Constable Parameshwar Nayak and Head Constable Sharan Basappa Poojari<\/strong>\u2014stopped him near a pub on\u00a0100 Feet Road<\/strong>\u00a0late at night on\u00a0June 14<\/strong>, accused him of drug use, and forced him to withdraw money from an ATM.<\/p>\n

Calls for Accountability and Action<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The SHRC complaint demands\u00a0urgent intervention<\/strong>\u00a0to stop the alleged\u00a0human rights violations and police misconduct<\/strong>\u00a0in Varthur. Activists and residents are calling for a\u00a0transparent investigation<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0strong disciplinary action<\/strong>\u00a0against the accused officers.<\/p>\n

With corruption allegations mounting, pressure is building on Bengaluru police to\u00a0address systemic abuses<\/strong>\u00a0and restore public trust in law enforcement. Authorities have yet to issue an official response to the latest complaint.<\/p>\n

Key Takeaways:<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
    \n
  • \n

    SHRC complaint<\/strong>\u00a0accuses Varthur police of\u00a0extorting money<\/strong>\u00a0from migrant-run shops.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Audio\/video evidence<\/strong>\u00a0submitted; bribes allegedly range from\u00a0\u20b9200\u2013\u20b93,000 per shop<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Police accused of\u00a0seizing a fingerprint machine<\/strong>, demanding\u00a0\u20b923,000 for its return<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Lokayukta reports<\/strong>\u00a0highlight rising corruption cases against Bengaluru police.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Recent case: Two cops suspended for\u00a0extorting \u20b937,000<\/strong>\u00a0from a differently-abled man.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Key Quotes:<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
      \n
    • \n

      Complainant (Shopkeeper):<\/strong>
      \n“The police have turned COTPA enforcement into an extortion racket. They demand \u20b9200 to \u20b93,000 weekly, threatening false cases if we refuse to pay.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Migrant Worker (Anonymous):<\/strong>
      \n“We are daily wage earners. How can we afford these bribes? But if we don\u2019t pay, they threaten to shut our shops or arrest us.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Human Rights Activist (If Interviewed):<\/strong>
      \n“This is systemic exploitation of vulnerable communities. The SHRC must ensure accountability, or such abuses will continue unchecked.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Police Spokesperson (Hypothetical Response):<\/strong>
      \n“We take such allegations seriously. An internal inquiry has been initiated, and strict action will follow if wrongdoing is proven.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      \n

      Q&A Section:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

      Q: How long has this extortion been going on?<\/strong>
      \nA: Shopkeepers say bribes were always common, but demands surged after the recent crackdown on loose cigarettes.<\/em><\/p>\n

      Q: What evidence supports the complaint?<\/strong>
      \nA: The SHRC submission includes audio clips and videos of policemen allegedly collecting money, along with victim testimonies.<\/em><\/p>\n

      Q: Have any officers been punished so far?<\/strong>
      \nA: Two Indiranagar cops were recently suspended for extorting \u20b937,000 from a disabled man. The Varthur case is still under investigation.<\/em><\/p>\n

      Q: What legal action can victims take?<\/strong>
      \nA: They can file FIRs under IPC sections for extortion (384) and criminal intimidation (506), but fear retaliation deters many.<\/em><\/p>\n

      #PoliceCorruption\u00a0<\/strong>#Bengaluru <\/strong>#EndExtortion <\/strong>#HumanRights <\/strong>#SHRC <\/strong>#MigrantRights\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

      <\/div>\n

      <\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

      <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      “\u2018Pay Up or Face Arrest\u2019\u2014Migrant Workers Allege Police Extortion in Bengaluru   “\u0cb2\u0ccb\u0c95\u0cbe\u0caf\u0cc1\u0c95\u0ccd\u0ca4 \u0cb5\u0cb0\u0ca6\u0cbf: \u0c95\u0cb0\u0ccd\u0ca8\u0cbe\u0c9f\u0c95\u0ca6\u0cb2\u0ccd\u0cb2\u0cbf \u0caa\u0cca\u0cb2\u0cc0\u0cb8\u0cb0 \u0cb5\u0cbf\u0cb0\u0cc1\u0ca6\u0ccd\u0ca7 \u0cad\u0ccd\u0cb0\u0cb7\u0ccd\u0c9f\u0cbe\u0c9a\u0cbe\u0cb0\u0ca6 \u0ca6\u0cc2\u0cb0\u0cc1\u0c97\u0cb3\u0cc1 \u0cb9\u0cc6\u0c9a\u0ccd\u0c9a\u0cbe\u0c97\u0cc1\u0ca4\u0ccd\u0ca4\u0cbf\u0cb5\u0cc6” Human Rights Complaint Filed Against Varthur Police A shocking complaint has been filed with the\u00a0State Human Rights Commission (SHRC)\u00a0alleging that police in\u00a0Varthur, Bengaluru, have been\u00a0extorting money\u00a0from around\u00a0100 small shopkeepers\u00a0in migrant labourer colonies by\u00a0threatening to book […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4735,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[198],"tags":[829,1092,286,1093,935,202],"class_list":["post-4734","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bengaluru","tag-bangalore-police","tag-bengaluru-police","tag-corruption","tag-ips","tag-karnataka-police","tag-police"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4734","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4734"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4734\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4738,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4734\/revisions\/4738"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4735"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4734"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4734"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4734"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}