The Karnataka State Human Rights Commission has directed that a Bengaluru police officer pay ₹2 lakh in compensation to a UK citizen of Indian origin who missed his London-bound flight after being wrongfully detained at Mumbai airport in 2019.
The case originated when Krishna Prasad, a UK national, was detained at the immigration counter of Mumbai airport pursuant to a lookout circular issued by the Bengaluru police in connection with a 2016 matter. Despite producing a 2018 stay order of the Karnataka High Court, immigration authorities prevented him from boarding his scheduled flight. The matter escalated when, later that day, the Halasuru Gate Women’s Police Station emailed instructions to reinforce his detention. Prasad was held until February 20, when two policemen from the station arrived in Mumbai. According to Prasad, even after showing them the High Court’s order, he was verbally abused, forced to give a statement, and had to rely on his sister to book a fresh ticket to Bengaluru.
Following his complaint, the Human Rights Commission initiated an inquiry. Inspector Shailaja of the Halasuru Gate Women’s Police Station argued that she had not been present at the station on the day of the incident and was unaware of the email that led to Prasad’s detention. However, the Commission found evidence that she had instructed two officers to travel to Mumbai and concluded that her negligence caused Prasad’s wrongful detention and financial loss, including his cancelled ticket worth Rs. 57,000.
The Commission directed that Rs. 2 lakh be paid to Prasad as compensation and recovered from Inspector Shailaja’s salary. It further recommended that the Home Department initiate disciplinary proceedings against her.
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