Shashidhar, who had called for police constables to go on mass leave was himself an ordinary police constable.
He took voluntary retirement in 1986 and established the Karnataka Police Maha Sangha, for the welfare of police constables, outside the department.
The police, however, had him arrested him on 2 June 2016, two days before the planned protest and produced him before the court for investigation.
In a dramatic turn of events, the investigations revealed some surprising facts about this ex-cop.
It was found that the ‘social worker’ owns property worth Rs 50 crore!
Shashidhar, who is in judicial custody on sedition charges, has defended himself saying that the property owned by him is not illegal. He claims that he got into the real estate business after retirement and thus had access to buy these lands.
The investigating officers, though, are not entirely convinced by his explanation and have decided to continue their investigation on the source of his property.
It is also alleged that he shares a good rapport with some BJP leaders.
The City Crime Branch (CCB), headed by NC Shankaraiah, ACP, has been combing through Shahidar’s call details record (CDR) with regards to the police protest.
Those who have spoken to him for more than 5 minutes are being considered as supporters of the ‘Sipoy Mutiny’ and are being called for interrogation.
More than 100 constables have been tracked down so far from across Karnataka, including Chitradurga, Kolar, Hassan, Mangalore, Davanagere, Bengaluru, Anekal, Hoskote and other places.
Shashidhar had posted his mobile number on his Facebook page and many police personnel had called him and had explained their grievances.
The CCB will now consider all who called him as witnesses. No charge sheets were filed on any cops who had a telephonic conversation with him.
The CCB has also been interrogating his relatives, friends and some real estate agents.
