Drug penalty: Bengaluru Apartment association, security firm face criminal case | Bengaluru News

Bengaluru: A controversial “drug penalty” system in a residential complex has prompted a full-fledged criminal investigation, with police accusing the apartment association and a private security firm of running an illegal parallel justice mechanism and systematically suppressing serious crimes.Kumbalgodu police have registered a suo motu criminal case against the Provident Sunworth Apartment Association and Tyko Security Pvt Ltd, after preliminary findings revealed that the association allegedly imposed penalties amounting to over Rs 3.3 lakh between July and Nov on those caught in possession of drugs or were found partying into the wee hours in their flats. The association, however, has not put out any statement so far with regard to the police charges.Earlier this week, TOI had highlighted the police action of issuing a notice to the association following the detention of four student-residents, who were caught with ganja outside the apartment complex at Doddabele, off Mysuru Road.According to senior police officers, the investigation was triggered by an anonymous complaint from a resident, which alleged that the association had framed its own bylaws to “investigate” and “settle” criminal offences internally. A preliminary inquiry substantiated the allegations, prompting police to register a case Tuesday.Investigators allege that the association, in collusion with the private security agency, conducted unauthorised inquiries into offences ranging from drug possession and theft to sexual harassment and assault, imposed fines ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000, and allowed the accused to remain within the complex or quietly vacate—without filing police complaints.“This is a clear case of deliberate suppression of cognizable offences,” a senior police officer said. “By collecting fines and not reporting crimes, they denied justice to the victims and helped the accused persons evade legal actions.”Deputy commissioner of police (southwest) Anitha B Haddannavar confirmed that the apartment houses several students from nearby colleges, many of whom are tenants. “We verified that the association illegally collected penalties from residents, particularly students, for alleged misconduct. Serious offences cannot be settled internally under any circumstances,” she said.Police said offences allegedly covered up include possession of narcotics, sexual harassment of domestic workers and thefts. The association is accused of using its basement office to collect fines, both in cash and via online transfers.While the association has existed since 2003 and had legitimate bylaws for minor issues such as parking violations or damage to common property, police noted that over the past few months, they were extended unlawfully to criminal matters.“Apartment associations have no legal authority to conduct investigations or impose penalties for criminal offences,” Haddannavar said. “Such matters must be reported immediately to police.”Investigators have also found that several residents who were fined were allegedly forced to vacate the premises, complicating efforts to trace the victims and accused persons. Police are now attempting to identify those who have paid penalties since 2023.The case has been registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 211, 238, and 239, relating to failure to report offences, disappearance of evidence, and intentional omission of information, along with provisions of the NDPS Act.