Call from jail: Bengaluru contractor threatened Rs 30,000 monthly hafta, asked to give up garbage tender
Bengaluru: A commercial waste contractor has approached Banashankari police alleging that he was threatened with murder and pressured to surrender a garbage disposal tender.
The complainant, Imran Anjum , 36, a resident of RK Layout in Padmanabhanagar , said he has been involved in commercial garbage disposal work in the area for the past two years. According to his complaint, he received an Instagram call on June 2 from a person identifying himself as Grace Walter Joseph , who claimed to be lodged in Hindalga Jail in connection with a murder case. The caller allegedly demanded Rs 30 ,000 a month as “hafta” and told Imran to hand over the money to his associate, Prajwal.
When Imran said he could not afford the amount, the caller allegedly abused him and threatened to kill him, warning that his family would not even find his body. Later, Prajwal allegedly called Imran to ask when he would make the payment, referring to Walter as his “elder brother”. Another person, Jayanth, also allegedly contacted Imran and demanded money.
The complainant said the threats escalated on Aug 3. After receiving a call from Harish, an acquaintance, Imran was asked to visit an office in Banashankari 2nd Stage . There, he was allegedly told that the garbage disposal tender had been awarded to Jayanth, who was said to be associated with Walter. Harish allegedly asked Imran to surrender the tender, warning him not to “lose his life over a small matter”.
When Imran refused, Prajwal and Jayanth allegedly arrived at the office and pressured him to give up the tender. Prajwal then reportedly called Walter and made Imran speak to him. Walter allegedly abused and threatened him, warning that his associates would enter Imran’s house, assault him and kill him.
Imran also alleged that unidentified people had been following him, leaving him fearful for his safety. He sought protection and legal action against Walter, Prajwal, Harish and Jayanth.
Police initially registered a non-cognizable report and later obtained court permission to register an FIR under Sections 351 and 352. A senior officer said police have recorded Imran’s detailed statement and collected call records and Instagram screenshots as part of the investigation. The officer also raised concerns over the alleged use of mobile phones inside prisons.
The complainant, Imran Anjum , 36, a resident of RK Layout in Padmanabhanagar , said he has been involved in commercial garbage disposal work in the area for the past two years. According to his complaint, he received an Instagram call on June 2 from a person identifying himself as Grace Walter Joseph , who claimed to be lodged in Hindalga Jail in connection with a murder case. The caller allegedly demanded Rs 30 ,000 a month as “hafta” and told Imran to hand over the money to his associate, Prajwal.
When Imran said he could not afford the amount, the caller allegedly abused him and threatened to kill him, warning that his family would not even find his body. Later, Prajwal allegedly called Imran to ask when he would make the payment, referring to Walter as his “elder brother”. Another person, Jayanth, also allegedly contacted Imran and demanded money.
The complainant said the threats escalated on Aug 3. After receiving a call from Harish, an acquaintance, Imran was asked to visit an office in Banashankari 2nd Stage . There, he was allegedly told that the garbage disposal tender had been awarded to Jayanth, who was said to be associated with Walter. Harish allegedly asked Imran to surrender the tender, warning him not to “lose his life over a small matter”.
When Imran refused, Prajwal and Jayanth allegedly arrived at the office and pressured him to give up the tender. Prajwal then reportedly called Walter and made Imran speak to him. Walter allegedly abused and threatened him, warning that his associates would enter Imran’s house, assault him and kill him.
Imran also alleged that unidentified people had been following him, leaving him fearful for his safety. He sought protection and legal action against Walter, Prajwal, Harish and Jayanth.
Police initially registered a non-cognizable report and later obtained court permission to register an FIR under Sections 351 and 352. A senior officer said police have recorded Imran’s detailed statement and collected call records and Instagram screenshots as part of the investigation. The officer also raised concerns over the alleged use of mobile phones inside prisons.
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