FIR registered against Puttur Deputy SP, two others for torturing BJP activists over banner issue

MANGALURU: An FIR has been registered against the Puttur Deputy Superintendent of Police Veeraiah Hiremath, the Sampya police sub-inspector and another policeman after they allegedly brutally beat up some BJP workers who were accused of putting up a banner of BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel and former CM D V Sadananda Gowda along with a garland of footwear near the bus stand in Puttur a few days ago.

The police allegedly tortured the BJP workers and beat them up so badly on the back and waist, leaving them unable to even walk properly. It was only after the intervention of Independent candidate Arun Kumar Puttila that they were released. One of them is still undergoing treatment in hospital.

Superintendent of Police Vikram Amate said a departmental inquiry has been ordered.

Arun Kumar had warned the Superintendent of Police Vikram Amate of staging a protest if an FIR is not registered against the police officers invoved after visiting the hospital.

The SP said, “On May 15, a case was registered under the Karnataka Open Places Disfigurement Act and nine people were called in for inquiry. Following this, there were reports of assault by the police on social media and a departmental inquiry under the Additional SP was ordered. The injured have been admitted to hospital and one of them, Avinash, has lodged a complaint based on which an FIR has been registered. A Deputy SP from another range will probe the case”.

Based on the findings of the departmental inquiry disciplinary action will be taken based on the gravity of the case, he added.