Inspector Nagaraj, 2 constables 'at large' as criminal cases filed

 The suspended inspector of Kempegowda Nagar police station, C D Nagaraj, and two of his constable colleagues, Pratap and Manjunath, have landed in further trouble as criminal cases were registered against them in connection with the recent suicide of a cab driver at Lakshmipura falling under their jurisdiction. 

The three men absconded soon after the cases were registered, the police said. A departmental inquiry report was submitted to the City Police Commissioner, M N Reddi, on Monday by DCP (Southeast) Dr Rohini Katoch Sepat. The commissioner sought legal opinion and directed his subordinates to register criminal cases against the three.

The police have registered cases against the three and they would be arrested soon, Sepat said. The cases were registered under IPC Sections 306 (abetment to suicide), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 342 (wrongful confinement).

Pradeep Kumar Eeranna, 26, had hanged himself at his home allegedly due to harassment by the local police. Police had picked him up after his tenant’s wife claimed that he had attempted to molest her. The inspector, Nagaraj, ensured a compromise formula and released Pradeep two days later. The tenant took his deposit of Rs 70,000 from Pradeep and vacated the house.

It was alleged that the police received bribe and released Pradeep. A day later, on August 23, Pradeep committed suicide, after which his relatives and friends resorted to violence in the locality. They claimed that Pradeep felt humiliated after being kept in illegal confinement and chose to end his life. Nagaraj was suspended following the incident.