Three individuals, including the Ballari Superintendent of Police’s gunman, have been apprehended by Karnataka Police for allegedly extorting a Rs 3 lakh bribe from ration rice smugglers. The arrested gunman, Devaraj, was associated with Ballari SP Suman Pennekar. Devaraj and his accomplices purportedly stopped two trucks carrying rice destined for illegal transportation to Andhra Pradesh, posing as part of the SP’s team. They demanded a bribe of Rs 5 lakh, threatening to confiscate the trucks and detain the transporters if the money was not paid.
Police disclosed that the accused eventually settled for Rs 3 lakh. A special operation was initiated by the Ballari district police to combat the illicit transport of ration rice to Andhra Pradesh and other regions, resulting in numerous registered cases. Exploiting this crackdown, Devaraj allegedly extorted money from ration rice smugglers under the guise of the SP’s team. Following an alleged payment of Rs 3 lakh by rice smuggler Sharabhayya, who subsequently filed a complaint at the Moka police station, Devaraj’s involvement came to light.
Upon receiving the complaint, SP Pennekar instructed authorities to arrest Devaraj. An FIR was lodged by the Moka police, commencing an investigation into the incident. Statements from Sharabhayya concerning the arrested gunman’s actions have also been documented. The episode has brought embarrassment to the Karnataka Police, prompting close supervision of the inquiry by the SP herself. Initial findings suggest that the accused had been extorting money under the guise of the SP squad, with further details pending revelation.
