BENGALURU: A chartered accountant with a technology firm has alleged that two Hoysala policemen flagged down his two-wheeler and threatened that they will arrest him as a suspected robber after they found that he was not carrying his vehicle documents. This despite, city police commissioner Praveen Sood directing traffic police personnel not to flag down vehicles unless it is a case of visible traffic violation, soon after he took charge this year.
Deepak Naikwadi said he was returning home from work around 11.45 pm on June 14 when Hanumanthappa and Nagendra, supposedly attached to a Hoysala squad, flagged him down, threatened and made him wait for 35 minutes.
Speaking to Express, Deepak, who works with Hewlett-Packard, said, “After flagging down my vehicle, they asked me to show my driving licence, which I did. They asked for my vehicle documents. I told them that the copies of the documents which were in my vehicle got drenched in rain, so I kept them at home,” he said.
“I also told them that I can produce the documents later, but they did not budge. I informed them that the police commissioner has instructed that vehicles cannot be flagged down for checking documents, except in cases of drunk driving. Offended by this, Nagendra told me that the city commissioner was not above the law, and also that they can arrest me as a suspected robber.”
Deepak said Hanumanthappa intervened saying that he can call the inspector and get his vehicle seized and that he could get it released the next day. Hanumanthappa rudely said, “I advise you to write to the Commissioner of Police and ask him not to check vehicles.”
Deepak said he had already sent an email to Sood but had not got any response.
In the email, Deepak has raised a few questions. “Is it proper on the part of Nagendra and Hanumanthappa to harass me by saying that they will seize my vehicle based on their contention that I am a suspect? Is it correct, fair and proper on the part of Nagendra and Hanumanthappa to have spoken so rudely when my behavior with them was in an absolutely polite manner? Why had Hanumanthappa covered himself with a blue jacket, covering or masking the official dress of police personnel?” he questioned.
Speaking to Express, police commissioner Praveen Sood said, “Hoysala police squads have no business flagging down vehicles to check driving licences or vehicle documents, provided it is necessary. I request the public to a take photo and send it to the police station. I will also go through this case and take action.”