Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, May 15: Famed rationalist and convener of Consumer's Education Trust of Mangalore, Narendra Nayak has alleged Bantwal Circle inspector Sharana Gowda is misusing his power at a press meet held on Tuesday, May 14.
Keshava Moorthy, a UK returned engineer residing in Bantwal had filed two separate cases against Gurushiva Dutt and Rajendra Kuppeti. The cheque bounce case was filed against Gurushiva Dutt in 2018 in Puttur Civil Court and a case in DK Consumer Forum against Rajendra Kuppeti, who was running a blind fold academy, was filed in the year 2017.
Nayak alleged that to counter Moorthy’s cheque bounce case, Dutt filed a counter complaint against Moorthy. “Keshava Moorthy was called by Vitla ASI Dhananjay for an enquiry on May 7 with regard to the case filed by Gurushiva Dutt related to Rs 60,000 paid towards Crypto currency transaction. He attended the enquiry on May 7 as requested and ASI handed the matter to Circle Inspector of Bantwal who was present in the station. Surprisingly, Gurudutt was accompanied by Rajendra Kupetti against whom Keshava Moorthy had filed a complaint in the year 2017. After the enquiry, circle inspector clearly told that complaint cannot be registered as there is no cognizance in the complaint given by Complainant,” said Nayak.
“However, a few minutes later the attitude of Circle Inspector changed. He snatched Moorthy’s mobile phone and threatened he will put him in jail and an FIR will be filed if he does not comply with his demands. Gowda asked Moorthy to withdraw the cheque bounce case against Dutt and the consumer forum case against Kupetti,” Nayak alleged.
“Moorthy was forced to give in writing that he will withdraw the cases. The Bantwal CI also threatened to harm Moorthy and his family if he fails to follow instructions at any point,” Nayak said in the press meet.
“Even though it was a public holiday, Moorthy was forced to find a notary and file case withdrawal in writing on stamp papers. He was not allowed to consult lawyers and was accompanied by ASI Dhananjay,” Nayak added.
“By threatening Keshava Moorthy to forcefully withdraw the court cases and forcing him to enter into the agreements with Gurushiva Dutt and Rajendra Kuppetti, a great injustice is done to his fundamental rights and also it is clear that Police Department misused the power to withdraw the court cases. Moreover, though initially the officers behaved politely, later they used bad language and insulted him in the station for no reason,” said Narendra Nayak.
The mid brain academy by Kupetti cheated many innocent people and Nayak had exposed the fraud in 2017.
Nayak alleged that the police are hatching a conspiracy to withdraw cases registered against Kupetti. “We have brought this into the notice of Superintendent of Police. We are confident that he would take action immediately,” Nayak said.
Background of the case
Gurushiva Dutt was purchasing engine oil regularly from Keshava Moorthy and had to pay Rs 55,822. He paid through post-dated cheque which bounced. A case was registered against him in December 2018. He registered a false counter case to counter the above case.
Rajendra Kuppetti was running a blind fold academy and a case was filed against him in DK Consumer Forum in December 2017, which is in the final stages.