Lock-up abuse: SI booked for forcing youth to drink urine in Karnataka

Nearly two weeks after a Dalit youth was allegedly harassed in police lock-up and forced to drink urine, the sub-inspector suspected to be involved in the act has been booked under IPC and SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Amendment Act.
Chikkamagaluru SP HA Machindra confirmed to STOI that an FIR has been lodged against sub-inspector Arjun Honakere in connection with the incident.
On May 10, KL Punith, 22, was picked up by police soon after a married woman went missing. Six months ago, the youth had reportedly made a call to the woman and based on the information, he was taken to Gonibeedu police station where the alleged harassment is said to have taken place.
In his complaint, Punith says he was suspended from the ceiling with his hands and legs tied with a rope and thrashed. When he requested for water, SI Honakere threatened another accused in the cell to urinate on his face. “I was later forced to lick the urine on the floor and released from custody after six hours of harassment late in the night,” Punith claimed. The FIR was lodged following an inquiry by a DySP.