Bengaluru: Inspector suspended for his role in kidnap and dacoity case

BENGALURU: An inspector with SJ Park police station has been suspended for alleged involvement in a kidnap and dacoity case in which his colleague and five others have been arrested.
Police commissioner Kamal Pant suspended BC Yogesh Kumar Naik, 39, after a report on his role in the case was submitted by Sanjeev M Patil, deputy commissioner of police (west).
Naik has not reported to work since August 24, when sub-inspector Jeevan Kumar from his station was arrested in connection with the case. Naik, however, was granted anticipatory bail by the 60th Additional City Civil and Sessions Court on September 9.
Naik had expressed apprehension before the court that he might be humiliated and subjected to third-degree treatment by City Market police probing the case. The court then directed Naik to appear before the investigation officer on or before September 19.
The case pertains to the kidnap of Shivakumara Swamy and Darshan, employees of Gubbi-based agribusinessman Mohan, from Chickpet Metro station on August 19.
Jeevan and other accused met inspector Naik within a few minutes of robbing Rs 26.5 lakh from the duo. Naik allegedly took Rs 8 lakh and gave Rs 5 lakh to Jeevan. The remaining amount was distributed among other accused.
Naik, who was formerly with ACB, had taken charge at SJ Park police station only five days earlier. “We learnt that he has availed anticipatory bail. Efforts are on to question him,” a police officer said.
Cops said Mohan supplied copra, arecanut and tamarind to Bharat, a trader, who owed him Rs 26.5 lakh. He sent Swamy and Darshan to collect cash. Swamy later told police he and Darshan left Gubbi at 11am on August 19 and collected the money from Bharat at 1.30pm. They kept the money bag in the car and were about to leave. Mohan asked them to wait for a few minutes as another man would give them Rs 2 lakh.
Swamy and Darshan parked their car in front of the Metro station. Suddenly, three people arrived at the spot, forcefully got into their car and snatched their phones. The trio asked Swamy and Darshan to drive to the place they wanted. Subinspector Jeevan on a twowheeler signalled the trio to move ahead. Later, two more people followed them in another vehicle. They shifted the bag into their car near Unity Buildings.
The incident came to light on August 21, two days later, after Mohan asked his employees to file a complaint about the incident.
Partners in crime
Jeevan Kumar, resident of Police Officers’ Quarters, Ashoknagar, and his uncle Jnana Prakash, 44, a resident of Jnanabharathi and a self-proclaimed human rights activist, were arrested once their presence at the crime spot was confirmed. Others arrested are retired policeman Arogya Swamy, 67, of Kengeri New Town; Mahesh, 46, editor of Suddi Saramale magazine and resident of Moodalapalya; Tilak, 22, driver and resident of Basaveshwaranagar and Kishore, 25, photographer and resident of Thyagarajanagar.