A quiet student housing complex on the outskirts of Bengaluru has become the centre of a major police investigation, not just for drug use, but for an alleged extortion racket run by its own residents' welfare association (RWA). What started as discreet late-night parties has escalated into a full-blown probe into how the RWA office-bearers reportedly chose to handle the issue by collecting massive fines instead of informing the police.
The Tip-Off and the Alleged Extortion System
The scandal at the large apartment complex in Kumbalagodu, located beyond Kengeri, came to light after an occupant directly flagged the matter to Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh on December 6. The complaint alleged that the RWA had turned drug violations into a lucrative money-collection exercise. This prompted a preliminary inquiry by the Kumbalagodu police.
Investigators were stunned by the fine receipts reportedly recovered from students residing in the complex. The slips cited reasons like "Using drugs or involving such activities – using illegal substances" and listed penalties ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,000. According to police complaints, when students were caught during late-night parties or allegedly using drugs, RWA representatives would intervene and impose these steep fines.
Threats, Security Complicity, and a Previous Case
The students, many of whom hail from Kerala and other states and study at a nearby medical college, were allegedly threatened into compliance. "When the students protested, they were allegedly threatened that the matter would be reported to police and their futures ruined," revealed a senior police officer involved in the case.
Further deepening the scandal, the whistleblower claimed that security personnel were complicit. Some guards allegedly caught students smoking ganja, threatened to report them to the RWA, and then collected money themselves. This complex was already on the police radar; last month, four people were caught consuming ganja outside the building, leading to the arrest of a suspected supplier from Kerala. However, police were unaware of the internal 'penalty system' until the recent tip-off. During questioning, students admitted to stocking ganja inside their flats.
Formal Police Action and Key Lines of Inquiry
With allegations mounting, the Kumbalagodu police have now formally sought a detailed explanation from the RWA office-bearers. The police probe is casting a wide net and is focused on gathering specific information:
- Complete details of interstate occupants and any foreign nationals living in the apartment complex.
- Specifics about the security agencies employed and their manpower.
- A full history of all RWAs formed in the complex since its inception.
- The official rules and guidelines established by the RWA.
- Comprehensive details of all fines collected by the association so far.
The case highlights a serious breach of civic responsibility, where an association meant to ensure welfare is accused of exploiting student misconduct for financial gain, bypassing the legal system entirely.
