Pics: Pareekshith Shet
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB/PS)
Udupi, Apr 9: Denying allegations that he had played a role in the suspension of a constable Prakash who allegedly attacked the eve-teasers of his wife, district in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj on Sunday April 9 said that he had only asked the police to take action if Kumar (who allegedly eve-teased Prakash's wife) had been assaulted by the constable for no fault of his.
"Kumar is tractor driver in my fish mill. He is well behaved person and not a street romeo. If he had been attacked by a policeman for no fault of his, what is wrong in asking the police to take action? My wife did not call constable Prakash, in fact, he himself approached her with a request to resolve the matter," Madhwaraj said.
"TV channels are projecting Kumar as if he were a habitual eve-teaser. He is a well-mannered person, and you can clarify this with anyone in Malpe area and in the fish mill. Kumar had gone to an ATM, and just when he came out, he was attacked by the constable. The doctors at Hitech hospital where Kumar has been admitted say that he sustained serious injuries and since it is a medico-legal case, so I will not interfere.
"After attacking Kumar, constable Prakash came to my wife requesting that no case should be filed against him, as he knew Kumar worked in my factory. He wanted the matter to be settled through talks. Now that he is in trouble, he is using his wife to file complaint against Kumar," Madhwaraj said.
"I have not put any pressure on the police. My wife also did not interfere. Let there be probe into the case filed against Kumar. I have nothing to do with the constable's suspension. It is the police department's own decision. If his suspension is revoked, even then I will not interfere. It is not surprising that a counter case has been filed against Kumar. Prakash has filed this case only to escape from the charges levelled against him," he added.
"Some people are projecting me as a villain in the case, I do not know why. I never interefere in police matters. My life is an open book. If there are other people involved in the case, let there be investigation into them too. I have no problem," he said.
No political pressure: SP
Following the suspension of a constable for allegedly attacking the eve teasers of his wife, superintendent of police K T Balakrishna on Sunday April 9 called an emergency press meet here to clarify the issue.
Addressing the short press meet, the SP said that Malpe constable Prakash was suspended based on the report submitted by sub-inspector Damodar on the issue.
"Prakash was suspended for his indiscipline and ill-mannered behaviour in a public place. The suspension order was issued based on the report submitted to us by the sub-inspector. If his wife was being troubled, he could have filed a complaint against the offenders instead of attacking them.
"Prakash's wife has already filed a complaint against the accused in the women police station," he added.
"Internal enquiry has been ordered. An impartial investigation is going on, without any political pressure or influence."
"Enquiry is also going on into allegations against Kumar, and if he has committed a mistake, he too will be dealt with strictly," he said.