KRV protests in support of ACP Manjunath

BENGALURU: The JC Nagar police division ACP Manjunath Babu, who is in the dock for allegedly assaulting a hotel owner, has found support from the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (Praveen Shetty faction).
On Wednesday, around 100 people, including members of the vedike and Hebballa Residents Welfare Association, staged a protest in front of the RT Nagar police station showing their support for the beleaguered officer.

Vedike leader Praveen Shetty said, “Manjunath is an honest officer and the hotel owner is making false allegations against him.” A police complaint was registered by Shetty Lunch Home owner Rajiv Shetty and an internal inquiry was held against Manjunath. DCP (North) Chethan R has submitted the inquiry report to City Police Commissioner Suneel Kumar. According to sources, the inquiry found Manjunath at fault, but Kumar is yet to initiate action against him.

Somaiah, a customer who was at the hotel during the incident, had given his statement to the police. He claimed that two police personnel had come prior to Manjunath and warned Rajiv to close the hotel early. “Later, Manjunath and another constable came and an altercation ensued between Manjunath and Rajiv. Following this, Rajiv was caned. No customer was assaulted in the incident,” he claimed.

He said before caning Rajiv, Manjunath had stressed upon robbery incidents in the area. Manjunath had served a notice to Rajiv to shut his establishment before midnight. On November 15, the officer, along with a constable, went to the hotel and thrashed Shetty. The constable also allegedly hit two of the customers. The entire episode was captured in the hotel CCTV camera.

‘Poojary’ warns hotel owner 
Rajiv said that on Monday night he received a threat call from a man who introduced himself as gangster Ravi Poojary. According to Rajiv, he got a call on his landline at 10.30pm. The man threatened him with consequences if the hotel was not shut. Sources said Poojary called the hotel and asked for Rajiv. When a representative said that he was not there, the man introduced himself as Poojary. The man said, “Tell Shetty that Ravi Poojary had called from Australia.

He knows me very well. If the hotel is not closed, my men will come and start firing at the hotel.” The audio clip is available with Express. “If you don’t shut the hotel in half an hour, my boys will come and start to fire. Don’t blame me saying customers are in trouble.” Rajiv filed a complaint.