Scrap dealers move Karnataka HC accusing policemen of extortion

The High Court of Karnataka has directed the government advocate to take instructions regarding a payment made to a police constable through the PhonePe app in a case where petitioners accused policemen of extortion.

The petitioners said five policemen attached to the Hulimavu police station extorted Rs 15 lakh from them by threatening to file a case accusing them of stealing iron rods.

Petitioners Yarab, Mustaq Pasha, Afroz and Syed Baksh, all scrap metal dealers from Hoskote taluk, said a police inspector and four constables came to their shop on January 14, assaulted them and later demanded Rs 25 lakh to avoid the theft case.

The petitioners claim to have paid Rs 15 lakh on January 14 night and have filed a complaint in this regard with the higher authorities at the Bengaluru Rural police office on Miller’s Road. They also claimed that one of the constables, N Chandrashekhar, demanded more money and asked the first petitioner Yarab to transfer Rs 4,000 through PhonePe.

Justice P S Dinesh Kumar ordered a notice to the state government, superintendent of police, Bengaluru Rural district, and the Bengaluru City police commissioner.

“Call on 24.02.2021 to enable learned AGA (Additional Government Advocate) to complete his instructions to make a statement with regard to payment through PhonePe,” the court said.