K’taka HC Takes Strong Views on Plea Alleging Extortion at Police Station

The Karnataka High Court has strongly criticized the purported inclination of certain police personnel to mediate in civil disputes within police stations.

A bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna emphasized that despite explicit orders restraining the police from involvement in civil matters, especially those pertaining to real estate transactions and land disputes, some officers persist in such interference.

J Ravi, a resident of Geddalahalli in Bengaluru, lodged a complaint asserting that the Banasawadi Police, in connection to a civil dispute, were making efforts to coerce money from him.

Justice Nagaprasanna expressed dissatisfaction with the situation. He remarked that despite numerous court orders explicitly prohibiting police interference in civil matters, these directives were being disregarded.

The High Court further noted that, despite clear orders prohibiting police participation in civil and financial matters, police stations seem to have transformed into hubs for “settlements,” particularly in real estate transactions. The court raised serious concerns over the continuous violation of directives against police interference, stressing that both the Supreme Court and the High Court have consistently issued orders against such actions.

In response to the petitioner’s claim of attempted extortion amounting to Rs 12 lakh, the court directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in the Banasawadi police station case to appear before the court at 2:30 PM on November 29 to provide an explanation.

The petitioner alleged that certain private parties were attempting to extort the mentioned amount from him. In connection to this, the Banasawadi police reportedly summoned him to the station and directed him to appear with a cheque for the specified amount on November 25.