7 constables suspended for 'robbery'

Superintendent of Police C B Ryshyanth has suspended seven constables of the Navanagar police station on the charge of robbing two men of Rs 20 lakh. The victims were exchanging old notes for a commission.

According to police, on December 27, the two men — hailing from Hosur in Hubballi — were camping in a lodge in Bagalkot with Rs 20 lakh in cash — in denomination of Rs 2,000 notes.

A constable attached to the Navanagar police station got wind of the deal and informed six of his colleagues. They learnt that the cash would be exchanged at the house of a priest.

The seven constables “raided” the house of the  priest and snatched the bag containing the cash. They are said to have shared the money among themselves. The seven constables had not reported for duty since then.

The victims brought the matter to the notice of the senior police officers the next day, but did not lodge any complaint. The SP said that the seven policemen had been suspended pending departmental enquiry.