Extortion: SHRC seeks robbery charges against 2 cops

Seeking for a detailed report on the matter within four weeks, the commission questioned why the two policemen – sub inspector Balasubramanian and constable Danikachalam of Kanathur police station – were not booked on robbery charges. It further asked why senior officers failed to take suitable action against the Inspector of the police station, who neglected preventing the violation of human rights of the victims.

On Friday night, sub inspector Balasubramanian and constable Danikachalam were asked to report to the Armed Reserve wing for verbally abusing two youngsters and snatching Rs 2,000 from them at Kanathur beach on Friday night.

The victim, Karthik (25) of Tiruvanmiyur, a private firm employee and trekker, came to the beach to meet his friend Yashwanth from Coimbatore. While they were talking, the two policemen intercepted them. Even after the duo showed their identity cards, the policemen intimidated them and demanded that they pay Rs 5,000 to let be off. The SI threatened that they would land in trouble if taken to the police station.

Frightened by the threats, they handed over Rs 2,000 and left the spot but launched a complaint soon afterwards. Following the complaint, the two officials were shunted out to the Armed Reserve wing.