Bettadapura false murder case: CM orders suspension of investigating officer

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed senior police officials to suspend B G Prakash, the former investigating officer of Bettadapura Police Station, for allegedly filing a false murder case and wrongfully imprisoning an innocent man.

The directive comes in the wake of startling revelations in a case registered four years ago. The police had then recovered an unidentified body in Shanubhoganahalli, within the Bettadapura police limits.

Investigators had claimed the deceased was Mallige, a woman from Kushalnagar, and accused her husband, Suresh, of murdering her. Based on this version, a chargesheet was filed and Suresh was sent to judicial custody. He was later released on bail.

However, the case took a shocking turn on June 1, when Mallige was found alive, living with her lover Ganesh. This revelation exposed the grave flaws in the original police investigation.

Following this, the court hearing the matter pointed out serious lapses in police procedure and negligence of duty by the investigating officials.

Taking note of the court’s observations and the wrongful implication of Suresh, CM Siddaramaiah instructed DGP M A Saleem to collect detailed reports from the Mysuru Police Commissioner and DIGP within the next couple of days. The DGP has also been asked to submit a full report on the matter, after gathering all facts and documents related to the investigation.