B'luru: Two youths wrongfully arrested based on false information; Four police officers suspended

In a significant development, four officers, including a PSI, have been suspended for alleged dereliction of duty. The officers—Banashankari Police Station PSI Sridhar Gugri, ASI S.K. Raju, and constables Satish Bagali and Timmanna Pujar—were suspended following an order by DCP (South Division) Lokesh B. Jagalasar.

The suspension followed an investigation into the wrongful arrest of two young men. The families of the arrested youths had raised concerns and filed a complaint with the City Police Commissioner and DCP (South Division), accusing a police informant named Rajan of conspiring against the youths. An inquiry led by ACP Girish of the Subramanyapura sub-division revealed that the two arrested youths were innocent and had been deliberately framed.

Based on ACP Girish’s report, the four officers were suspended for negligence and misconduct. Authorities are also investigating whether the suspended officers had any financial dealings with informant Rajan.

Banashankari police have arrested Rajan and his associate Chaitra for providing false information. Chaitra had allegedly planted drugs on the bike of the innocent youths at Rajan’s behest. The police are investigating how Rajan obtained 400 grams of drugs and whether he had connections with drug peddlers.

The investigation revealed that Rajan had a personal grudge against the two young men and used Chaitra to plant drugs on their bike. He then informed the police, leading to a raid. Without verifying Rajan’s claims, the police detained several individuals but only arrested the two innocent youths and produced them in court.

DCP Lokesh B. Jagalasar stated, “The PSI and three other officers of Banashankari Police Station have been suspended for dereliction of duty. Strict action will be taken against those who provided false information.”

Further investigation is ongoing to determine the full extent of the conspiracy and the role of the suspended officers.