‘Police atrocity’ on murder suspects: HC seeks report

The Karnataka High Court on Monday called for report from the First and Third Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court in the case related to alleged torture of suspects in the Gauri Lankesh murder by the police.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Sujith Kumar, a resident of Shivamogga, and three other suspects in the case. The petitioners stated that they were taken into illegal custody during the course of investigation into Gauri Lankesh murder case and were tortured. They apprehended that the police might again take them into illegal custody and torture them. The petitioners has sought the court issue directions to the Rajarajeshwari Nagar police not to arrest them.

The suspects have accused the SIT of physical and mental harassment. The court, in the last hearing, had observed that it was a violation of basic human rights.

The petitioners filed an affidavit stating that Amol Kale, one of the suspects, was slapped by the police during the investigation. The court adjourned the hearing of the case.