Karnataka’s law and order machinery faces fresh scrutiny following the mysterious death of Kantaraju (45) while in custody at Huliyar police station in Tumakuru. Home Minister G. Parameshwara wasted no time, transferring the high-profile case to the CID for a detailed probe.
Details emerged that police had rounded up six men Thursday evening over alleged card gambling. Amid questioning, Kantaraju suddenly fell ill and could not be revived. The timing has fueled suspicions, with the man’s family and villagers claiming brutal police beating led to his demise.
From Bengaluru, Parameshwara fielded tough questions from the press. He assured, ‘No stone will be left unturned. The CID will dig deep, and the autopsy results will be pivotal. Culprit cops, if any, will face the full force of the law.’
The backlash was immediate and fierce. A mob of furious locals stormed the station premises, locking the main gate and staging a sit-in protest. Slogans rent the air as they called for justice, highlighting deep-seated distrust in local policing.
Shifting focus, the minister commented on Hubli’s recent mishap involving two underage boys killed in a stunt video gone wrong. ‘Social media fame is driving dangerous trends like high-speed wheeling and balancing acts on bikes,’ he noted. ‘Despite crackdowns, some evade patrols. We plead with youngsters: safety first.’
In Bengaluru, dawn patrols target rogue riders, but evasive tactics persist. Police awareness drives continue unabated. This dual incident cluster raises broader questions on enforcement efficacy and youth safety in Karnataka, with the CID report poised to be a litmus test for governmental resolve.