Daijiworld Media Network - Chikkamagaluru (SP)

Chikkamagaluru, May 23: There have been allegations that police sub-inspector (PSI) of Gonibeedu police staiton in Mudigere taluk in the district, Arjun Hoskeri, had forced a Dalit youngster to consume urine. The allegation was investigated and preliminary report stands submitted to the district superintendent of police.

Deputy superintendent of police, T T Prabhu, submitted the preliminary report after investigating the allegation. On the basis of the report, a first information report (FIR) has been registered against the said PSI.

A woman from Kirugunda village had gone missing. In this context, K L Puneet from this village, who is a daily wage worker within Bettagere gram panchayat, had been taken to Gonibeedu police station. Puneet had accused the police of behaving with him in an inhuman way during interrogation. He had alleged that he was hung upside down and assaulted. He also alleged that a person named Chetan, who had been brought to the police station on the allegation of theft, was asked to urinate and that he was made to drink this urine. He also said that the PSI used abusive words against him besides beating him up brutally, which left him weak and drained.

"When I sought water to drink, two drops from a nearby bottle were sprinkled into my mouth. I was again assaulted by the policemen. I was very much thirsty and urged the PSI to give me water. Then Arjun made Chetan open the zip of his trousers and urinate into my mouth," he alleged. Chetan gave all these details in the letters he wrote to top officials in the police department and the Human Rights Commission.

Immediately after this allegation was made, PSI Arjun Hoskeri was transferred to the office of the superintendent of police on office duty. But leaders of various organizations have demanded his suspension from service. Dalit organizations and many citizens had expressed their anguish at the police department's apathty to even register 'not criminally responsible (NCR)' report even weeks after the above incident. As the case made headlines, and anger against the police built as the news went viral on social media, the department registered FIR against him.

PSI Arjun faces charges under Indian Penal Code section Nos. 342, 323, 504, 506m 330 and 348 besides offences under Atrocities against the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.