Two Karnataka Policemen Arrested in Mangaluru for Allegedly Assaulting and Extorting an Electrician

Two police personnel attached to the Mangaluru South police station in Karnataka have been arrested for allegedly assaulting and extorting money from an electrician while on patrol in a Hoysala police vehicle.

The arrested personnel have been identified as Shivraj and Hiranna Benni. A court has remanded both to judicial custody following their arrest.

The case came to light after Raviraj, an electrician working in Mangaluru and a resident of Vittal, filed a complaint alleging harassment and extortion by the personnel.

According to the complaint, Raviraj was returning home after completing his walk at Nehru Maidan when the two policemen allegedly stopped him in a Hoysala vehicle and assaulted him.

He alleged that they took his mobile phone and removed Rs 300 kept inside its cover before verbally abusing and threatening him.

Policemen allegedly demanded Rs 2,000

The complaint further states that the two personnel returned the following day in the same police vehicle and allegedly harassed Raviraj again.

They reportedly took two ATM cards belonging to Karnataka Bank and Union Bank, Rs 1,000 in cash and the key to his motorcycle. The items were allegedly kept inside his mobile phone cover or were taken into their possession.

The policemen allegedly accessed his mobile phone, obtained his banking details and checked his account balance. They then demanded Rs 2,000, threatening to register a case against him and send him to jail if he refused to pay, according to the complaint.

The complaint also names another police personnel, Umanath, who allegedly took custody of Raviraj's motorcycle and demanded money from him. Raviraj claimed that he was abused, threatened and forced to hand over cash.

FIR registered, investigation underway

An FIR was registered at Pandeshwar police station following Raviraj's complaint.

Mangaluru Police Commissioner Sudheer Reddy directed action against the personnel named in the complaint. This led to the arrest of Shivraj and Hiranna Benni, who have since been remanded to judicial custody.

The police are continuing their investigation into the allegations against Umanath.

The incident has raised concerns as the personnel accused of assault and extortion were allegedly carrying out patrol duties in an official police vehicle.