As a second woman of the Konanakunte Police Station has disclosed explosive allegations of corruption and professional misconduct, the controversy continues to escalate for Inspector Papanna. The latest complaint comes after a high-profile scandal involving a former woman rowdy-sheeter, raising doubts over the inspector.
The New Allegations: Nandini’s Complaint
Nandini, a female, has now formally registered a complaint with the Human Rights Commission and some high-profile police departments accusing Inspector Papanna of demanding a huge bribe to register a case.
The complaint said that Nandini had gone to the station to report on behalf of a Dalit woman who had been treated unfairly by a person named Chandan, alias Rangaswamy. She received little help, Nandini says; instead, she was confronted by hostility and illegal demands. Nandini's Petition The main allegations in Nandini’s petition are:
- Drunken State: Nandini alleges Inspector Papanna had a clear state of intoxication during working hours, when she approached him. Obligation to Bribe: Inspector alleged to have demanded a bribe of ₹10 lakh to charge accused Chandan with crime.
- Favoritism: The inspector gave the accused a favorable impression, according to the complainant, allegedly as a result of his drunken state and possible financial incentive.
- CCTV Evidence: The complainant has called on authorities to check the station's CCTV from March 8, which took place between 3:00 PM and 4:42 PM, alleging that the recordings must authenticate her allegations of his misconduct and intoxication.
A Pattern of Misconduct?
Inspector Papanna has not been spared serious heat before this. It had only been a few weeks ago that he was drawn into the Lady Don scandal, involving former rowdy-sheeter Yashaswini Gowda. Viral audio, in that case, recorded the inspector asking Yashaswini to call him Paapu instead of Sir and making suggestive sexual comments. He was accused by Yashaswini of continued harassment and abuse of power, prompting a preliminary investigation by City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh.
Intervention by the Human Rights Commission
Frustrated by an absence of support at the station level, Nandini has escalated her struggle to the higher echelon. Through her correspondence to the Human Rights Commission, she has called attention to the suffering of ordinary citizens, particularly those in marginalized communities, who are denied justice unless they pay outrageous bribes. “I went there to pursue justice for a Dalit girl, but the inspector cared more about the money and supporting the criminal,” Nandini wrote to the commission in her letter.
What’s Next?
The Bengaluru police department is now feeling immediate pressure to act decisively. Given that there will be two high-profile complaints against the same officer within a month, senior officials are likely to widen the existing inquiry. If the CCTV evidence confirms that Nandini was there and the inspector’s supposed actions on March 8, Papanna is likely to face suspension and criminal charges for corruption and dereliction of duty, according to the law.
