Karnataka cop arrested in Solapur for taking bribe

KOLHAPUR: The murder case of Congress activist Reshma Padeknur has taken yet another turn with the anti-corruption bureau of Solapur arresting a senior police officer from Karnataka along with two others.


Solapur ACB said deputy superintendent of police Maheshwar Gaud Patil, of Vijapur district was caught red-handed, along with police constable Malikkarjun Shivayya Pujari and Riaz Kokatnur (a private person), while accepting Rs 1 lakh in cash.

Gaud Patil had allegedly demanded Rs 5 lakh from a witness — to ensure that the witness is not mentioned as an accused in the murder case. ACB officials said Gaud Patil was taking Rs 1 lakh as the first instalment.

A complaint has been registered with the Sadar Bazaar police station.

The murder of 45-year-old Reshma Padeknur had caused a sensation in the political circles of Solapur after AIMIM leader Toufique Shaikh was arrested by the Karnataka police in April this year. Padaknur’s body was found near Kolar in Karnataka, lying near the Krishna river under a bridge. The Kolar police in Karnataka had registered an offence under section 302 of the IPC in this connection.

The murder was also shocking as on April 17 this year, Padeknur had lodged a police complaint against Shaikh for outraging her modesty and threatening to kill her. In her complaint, she had said that Shaikh had threatened her with a revolver and had demanded money from her. The complaint was lodged with the Sadar Bazaar police station in Solapur. The alleged incident took place in a hotel in Solapur.

Reshma Padeknur was untraceable after the incident. Her husband had also registered a missing complaint with Vijapur police station in Karnataka. Police said Padeknur’s body had severe injury marks. Her husband had mentioned Shaikh’s name in the complaint.

Initially, Shaikh was absconding, but the Karnataka police later arrested him.