Big blow: Case fi led against top officials, ministers in CI's death case

Hameed Ashraf | NT

Bengaluru: Seven days after Circle Inspector HL Nandish succumbed to cardiac arrest at a hospital in the city, an FIR was filed by a social activist and senior advocate TJ Abraham alleging that it was torture by top officials in the state which led to the death of the cop.

The FIR was filed at KR Puram police station against six persons including Urban Development Minister and MLA Byrathi Basavaraj, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, Bengaluru Police Commissioner CH Pratap Reddy, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Central Crime Branch) Reena Suvarna and two relatives of MLA Byrathi Basavaraj, identified as Chandru and Ganesh.

According to sources, complaints under sections 304A and 107 under IPC were filed against the officials at KR Puram police station here. "We have information that Ganesh and Chandru, relatives of MLA Basavaraj, had allegedly made a deal with the MLA by paying him a huge amount of money in connection with the posting of the deceased officer.

Also the Home Minister was allegedly paid Rs 20 lakh in this case," the activist alleged while speaking to the media. Nandish had taken charge on April 24 as Circle Inspector at KR Puram police station. On October 14, CCB had raided a pub in the jarean which was found operating beyond permissible hours in the night.

Alleging his inaction in monitoring the pub, Nandish was suspended by Police Commissioner Pratap Reddy on charges of dereliction of duty on October 20. Abraham said that whenever an official is accused of dereliction of duty, a departmental enquiry has to be conducted and a clarification has to be sought from the officer.

"However nothing as such took place in this case," he said. He alleged that the relatives of the local MLA, Chandru and Ganesh were acting as agents in receiving money from police officers and paying it to the MLA and other ministers. After filing the FIR, the activist said that he has information that Nandish had refused to fulfil certain demands made by the local MLA which resulted in his suspension.

"This is not a case which can be easily hushed up," the activist further said. "Imagine the stress an officer must have gone through to arrange lakhs to rupees for his posting and then face suspension within six months of taking charge. Would the lenders let these suspended officers live peacefully?" he asked. 

Abraham asserted that police officers must investigate this case without surrendering to political pressure. The matter poses a challenge to the whole department, he said.  On Saturday last, Home Minister Araga Jnanendra had clarified that there was no link between Nandish’s death and his suspension.

The statement came soon after Minister MTB Nagaraj’s video went viral in which he could be reportedly heard saying, “They collect money left, right and centre and get involved in all kinds of things. This is their tension. They pay Rs 70 to 80 lakh for a posting; They are doing these kinds of things.” To this, Abraham cited a statement from the Supreme Court that, “Even if it was not intentional, still the official who takes such an action resulting in the death of a person, is punishable under the law.”