Karnataka: Dalit youth claims cop made him lick urine during custodial torture, probe ordered

22-year-old Punith KL alleged that Gonibeedu Police thrashed him for a couple of hours at the police station and that when he sought water, the sub-inspector allegedly forced another person in the lock-up to urinate on him.

A Karnataka police sub-inspector has been transferred, and a department inquiry ordered into claims made by a Dalit youth in Chikkamagaluru that was allegedly forcibly made to drink urine while being tortured in custody.

The incident dates back to May 10, when police picked up 22-year-old Punith KL, who was accused by local villagers in Mudigere taluk's Gonibeedu of creating discord between a couple in the village. 

Media reports cited Punith as alleging that Gonibeedu Police thrashed him for a couple of hours at the police station and that when he sought water, the sub-inspector allegedly forced another person in the lock-up to urinate on him.

Punith accused the sub-inspector of forcing him to lick the urine. The 22-year-old was let off the same day, as there was no formal complaint against him. 

The humiliated youth narrated the ordeal to his uncle, who shot off a complaint letter to higher officials, including Chikkamagaluru Superintendent of Police Akshay M Hakay.

When contacted, the Chikkamagaluru SP said that a case had been registered against the sub-inspector under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. He also informed that a departmental enquiry had been ordered.

For now, the sub-inspector has been transferred to another police station. However, social activists are demanding the arrest of the police officer.

Nagaraja Vijaya, an activist, said: "The action taken against the official is not sufficient. He should be dismissed from service, and he should be jailed for atrocities against Dalits."