Bengaluru RWA booked for running its own 'Justice System'

The Bengaluru Police have registered a criminal case against a residential apartment association and its private security contractor for allegedly bypassing the criminal justice system and dealing with criminal offences internally instead of reporting them to law enforcement authorities. Office-bearers of the RWA at the large complex at Kumbalagodu , on the outskirts of the city (beyond Kengeri) have come under the scanner for reportedly collecting hefty fines from residents — mostly students — for drug use and loud late-night parties, instead of informing police. The police have booked the Provident Sunworth Apartment Association and Tyco Security, the agency providing security services to the complex, accusing them of creating and enforcing unauthorised penal rules, conducting internal inquiries, and imposing fines on residents involved in alleged criminal acts.

As per information, the issue surfaced after an occupant flagged the matter to city police commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh on Dec 6, alleging that the RWA had turned drug violations into a money-collection exercise. A preliminary inquiry by Kumbalagodu police followed. According to police,several residents were involved in offences ranging from minor violations to serious crimes, including sexual assault, theft, consumption of narcotic substances and illegal possession of drugs within the apartment premises and nearby areas. But instead of reporting these incidents to the police, the apartment association is alleged to have framed its own bylaws, questioned the accused internally, imposed monetary penalties, and allowed those involved to go free. The private security agency is accused of assisting the association in carrying out these actions.It is said that the RWA imposed penalties ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,000.

The whistleblower also claimed that security personnel were part of the problem. "Some security guards allegedly catch students smoking ganja, threaten to report them to the association representatives, and collect money," it is alleged. According to Anitha B Haddannavar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, South West Division. "Such crimes should have been reported to the police. Instead, they tried to handle them internally by enforcing their own rules." The private associations have no legal authority to investigate criminal offences or impose penalties, and that all crimes must be reported to the police without exception, she said. The said Apartment is located at Doddabele in southwest Bengaluru, houses residents from different parts of the country, including students.

A case has been registered at Kumbalgodu Police Station under Sections 211, 238, 239, 3(5) and 3(6) of the law, along with relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The matter is currently under investigation.

( State Correspondent)