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UDUPI: Manipal police station which often has been in the news for wrong reasons like atrocities on innocents and hushing up cases, is now once again in the news.

An incident wherein a person attempted  suicide by consuming poison, unable to  bear the  harassment and threats by a police  constable  of Manipal police station, has been reported from Hirebettu village. The person named Bhasker Shetty (38) of Hirebettu Nooji is presently battling for life at the ICU of Ajjarkad Government Hospital of Udupi.

As per a note written by Bhasker prior to attempting suicide, one Lokesh, a constable in Manipal station used to often visit his house and harass him and also issue murder threats to him. “ It is not possible for me to live amid his harassment,:” the note had said, according to Ramani, wife of Bhasker Shetty.

Bhasker who was doing coolie works had  fallen  trap to matka and gambling and had robbed a gold chain of Girija Shetty, a neighbour on October 6, 2010. Following this Girija had complained against Bhasker at Manipal station. On December 8, Bhasker, his wife and Girija Shedty’s family were summoned to the station by Manipal Inspector HD Kulkarni who had settled the case through talks. As per the condition, Bhasker Shetty had to hand over Rs 20,000 being the value of the stolen gold chain to the Girija Shedti family by January 10, 2011. This was accepted by both the families and the letter was signed by them at the station.

But Ramani, wife of Bhasker has complained that :” The constable Lokesh who came to our house after December 8, harassed my husband by saying the amount had to be paid by December 10 lest he will break his hands and legs and kill him.”

It has been alleged that the constable continued to threaten even as Bhasker’s daughter who was in the house told him that as per the agreement the amount would be paid by January 10.

Unable to bear harassment, Bhasker had  consumed  poison and attempted suicide on December 15 in his house when his wife was away and daughter had been to school. Only their four year old son was at home.

Presently, Bhasker’s condition is said to be critical. His family is alleging that the Manipal Police have now planned to register a case against Bhasker Shetty himself and  shield the accused constable.