The Mysuru City police, which announced the setting up anti-rowdy squads at police station levels, on Friday said it has detained 28-year-old rowdy sheeter Kaushik from Vijaynagar police station limits under Goonda Act and lodged him in Central prison in Kalaburgi.

The City police have warned that similar stringent legal action will be initiated against other active rowdy elements operating within the City.

A statement here said Kaushik, a resident of Janata Street in Koorgalli in the City, has a total of nine criminal cases registered against him, including five cases at Vijayanagar Police Station, two cases at H.D. Kote Police Station, one case at Channapatna Rural Police Station, and one case at Ilavala Police Station. 

The cases involve serious offences such as attempt to murder, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, dacoity, assault with deadly weapons, and criminal intimidation.

A rowdy sheet had already been opened against him at Vijayanagar Police Station, and various legal measures had been taken locally. “However, despite these actions, he continued to engage in criminal and anti-social activities,” the police said.

In view of his continued involvement in such activities, the City Police Commissioner has ordered his detention under the provisions of Goonda Act and lodged him in the Central Prison at Kalaburgi. The action is aimed at effectively curbing his criminal conduct, police said.

Anti-rowdy squads

Meanwhile, close on the heels of the Mysuru City police setting up the anti-rowdy squads at police station levels, the Mysuru district police on Friday announced the setting up of such anti-rowdy squads at Circle and Police Station levels.

A statement from the office of Superintendent of Mysuru district police said the anti-rowdy squads had been set up with the objective of “monitoring the activities of rowdy elements, reforming them, steering them away from criminal activities, and bringing them into the mainstream of society” as per the directions of the government.

A total of 17 anti-rowdy squads have been formed in Mysuru district police jurisdiction, comprising 4 squads at the police circle level and 13 squads at the police station level.

Police Circle Inspectors have been appointed as heads of the circle-level squads, while Police Inspectors will head the station-level squads. Each squad will function with a team of five police officers and personnel under its command. The squads will be supervised by the respective jurisdictional Deputy Superintendents of Police (DySPs).

The criminal history of individuals will be reviewed, and rowdy sheets will be opened against habitual offenders and those repeatedly involved in criminal activities, the statement said.

The anti-rowdy squads will monitor the activities of active rowdies and their associates and take steps to prevent their involvement in rowdyism and other criminal activities, besides keeping a watch on the activities of rowdy elements lodged in prisons as well as those released from prison.

The squads will periodically summon known rowdies within the jurisdiction of police stations, counsel and warn them, and obtain good conduct bonds from them.

In a statement, the police has asked the members of the public who notice any incidents of rowdyism, extortion, intimidation, or related unlawful activities in their locality to immediately call the 112 Emergency Response Support System or inform the nearest police station and lodge a complaint.