Dharwad student suicide case: Three cops suspended

The action has also brought to light allegations that money was being extorted from those detained during anti-drug drives. Police Commissioner N Shashikumar stated that the decision was based on a report submitted by senior officers.

Dharwad: Three personnel from Vidyagiri police station have been suspended in an alleged police harassment leading to the suicide of a BSc student.

The action has also brought to light allegations that money was being extorted from those detained during anti-drug drives.

The suspended personnel have been identified as head constable Chandru Nadavinamani and constables Kiran Dokkannavar and Syed Tahashildar. The action follows the suicide of Aditya Myageri (20), a resident of Girinagar in Dharwad.

According to police sources, Aditya was among ten students detained by Vidyagiri police last Saturday on charges of consuming ganja. However, medical reports later confirmed that he had not consumed the substance. Despite this, the police allegedly demanded money to let him off the case.

Distressed over the alleged harassment and the demand for money, Aditya, who was living with his widowed mother, died by suicide on Monday by hanging himself.

Aditya’s mother, Kavita Maggeri, said, “Around 10:30 pm on Monday, Aditya asked for Rs 2,000. I told him I would give it in the morning. He then went into a room inside the house, closed the door, and hanged himself.”

She further alleged, “The police had taken Aditya away on Saturday while he was with his friends. They had taken him for questioning in connection with ganja consumption. We were not aware that the police had taken him. His phone was switched off for two days. The police later realised that Aditya had not consumed ganja. He returned home on Sunday. He said the police had asked for money, and he requested Rs 2,000. He told us that the police had threatened to implicate him in some case if the money was not paid.”

Taking serious note of the incident, the police department has suspended the three personnel. Police Commissioner N Shashikumar stated that the decision was based on a report submitted by senior officers.

He added that the investigation is being led by DCP (Law and Order) Shruti, and the allegations of extortion by Vidyagiri police personnel will also be probed. He further said that legal action will be initiated if the victim’s family files an additional complaint, and warned that anyone found involved in the case will not be spared.

The commissioner emphasised that there would be no attempt to shield any individual in connection with the case.