Bengaluru: A couple who went out at night was scolded and fined by the police. The incident took place on Thursday midnight near Manyata Techpark, Bengaluru. The police officers on duty said that there is a rule not to go out after eleven o’clock and for violating it, the fine should be paid through Paytm. Karthik Patri and his wife were returning home after cutting a cake on the occasion of their friend’s birthday. After listening to the police and paying the fine, Karthik took to Twitter to explain the incident and requested the City Police Commissioner for help in the matter.
Through 15 consecutive tweets, Karthik described the ‘horrific experience’ that took place at midnight on Thursday. Karthik says in his first tweet that he was returning home after cutting the cake around 12.30 pm. The tweet also mentioned that he and his wife live near Manyata Techpark. Karthik says that when they were only a short distance away from the entrance gate of the residence, a police patrol vehicle stopped near them and two men in police uniform asked them to show their identity cards, asking them why they would ask an adult couple walking down the road on a perfectly normal day to show their identity cards.
Karthik alleges that the officials seized their phones and asked for their personal details even though they showed them the photos of the identity cards on the phones. Although it seemed unpleasant, he politely answered the questions of the officials. Later, a man got out of the vehicle and started writing his name and Aadhaar number in something like a receipt book. Karthik tweeted that when he asked why he was recording the receipt, an officer told him that he was not allowed to ‘roam’ on the road after 11 pm.
Karthik says that he was skeptical about the existence of such a law, but since it was night and the officials had their phones in their hands, he tried to avoid the problem without arguing too much. Karthik added that he did not know that they should not go out at night and when they said that they should be allowed to leave, the officials asked them to pay a fine of Rs 3,000. Karthik says that she did not give in despite her pleas and the more she pleaded, the more rude she became and threatened to arrest her and face further consequences.
‘I was exhausted, my wife started crying, she must have felt that torturing a woman can be a problem later on.’ I was held back, ‘advised’ and asked to pay at least a few bucks to avoid further trouble. Finally agreed to pay Rs. They said that it is enough to pay through Paytm. Paytm showed QR code and asked to send money. Finally released with a warning,” Karthik tweeted.
Bengaluru police intervened in the matter after Karthik’s tweet was noticed. Police have instructed those who have similar experiences to contact them. Deputy Commissioner Anoop A. for bringing the matter to attention. Shetty thanked Karthik himself through Twitter. He said that strict action will be taken against the officials concerned. The police then started an investigation. The latest available report is that the constable and head constable of Sampigehalli police station have been suspended in connection with the matter.