Cop Manohar Soans: First victim of corruption, political interference in DK


Deekshith D V
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Jul 12: In broad daylight, a police sub-inspector in uniform shoots himself in the head with his service revolver and dies at the police station. A single bullet triggered from the revolver ends the life of a bold and dynamic officer. This happened nearly 20 years ago.

This was the first incident of suicide by a cop that shocked the entire coastal Karnataka. The man who shot himself was Manohar Soans, serving as SI at Pandeshwar police station.

In the wake of the recent suicide of DySP Ganapati which once again brought to focus the alleged political interference in the working of the police department, let us recall the first ever reported suicide case of a police officer who was pushed to the limit.

Like DySP Ganapati, who committed suicide on July 7 due to alleged political interference, harassment and lack of support from his senior police officers, sub-inspector Manohar Soans was also a victim of corrupt system and political interference.

When Soans was serving as ASI at Suratkal station, which was then an outpost under Mulky police, he was inducted into the District Crime Intelligence Bureau (DCIB), which was still in its nascent stage then. As ASI in the DCIB, Soans along with others worked immensely to curb criminal activities in the city. Moreover, he was instrumental in curbing communal violence in Bhatkal which claimed 18 lives. Later he was promoted as sub-inspector of Pandeshwar police station.

After his promotion, Manohar Soans tried to stop the gold smuggling mafia from Kerala which had spread its net in the city. He along with two constables raided and arrested the accused in the gold smuggling racket. Unfortunately, the police team failed to catch the accused red-handed. The smugglers had already disposed off the smuggled goods.

During the raid, the police also confiscated Rs 1,700 and a car key. The sub-inspector warned the accused to provide information about the racket. Unfortunately, the accused were let off due to lack of evidence. The smugglers then reportedly informed this to their bosses and exerted political pressure on him.

During his tenure as sub-inspector, gold smuggling mafia had wide political backing. The smugglers in this case allegedly took the help of a politician from the erstwhile Vittal constituency.

To favour and protect the smugglers, the politician allegedly contacted a senior police officer serving above Soans and hatched a conspiracy against him. Soans was then trapped in a false corruption case, on allegations that he had demanded Rs 1 lac from the smugglers. Allegedly, the money was clandestinely arranged and produced as evidence against Soans. The senior officer also allegedly gave false information to the superintendent of police (SP) against the cop. As a result, Soans and two other policemen were suspended.

Soans tried to console the other two police constables who were also distressed by their suspension, but all he could tell them was that it was 'part of the police job'. He later went to the first floor of Pandeshwar police station and shot himself with the service revolver.

A sincere officer, Soans became the first reported victim of the system and interference of politicians in the undivided Dakshina Kannada. The lack of support from senior officers compelled Soans to take the drastic step of committing suicide.

There are several police officers who work with dedication and commitment but unfortunately interference of politicians does not allow them to function independently.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Ram, Bangalore

    Sun, Jul 17 2016

    Dear fellow Indians
    I saw n read ur weird comment on Mr ganapathy as I know him he has worked in my area for 4-5 yrs... In Yeshwantpur n madivala he was honest his encounter in Yeshwantpur was out standing coz tat goon was such notorious n full back support from political ppl... N church attak in 2008 n wt was de reason behind tis attack n wen he controlled roits how few of u can tell he paid for controlling it... Guys keep religions n caste out of countries development... N 2days political stance is on based on caste n religions... 2day congress is thinking ter vote banks r obc n minorities.. Bjp thinks Hindus r vote banks... N others depends on caste... Wr Vr heading 2 n comments from few ppl shows wr Vr heading n wts future of country... I'm ashamed 2 tell I'm indian... Sorry if I ve hurt any1's sentiment...

    DisAgree [4] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Purander Bhat, Puttur

    Wed, Jul 13 2016

    The best thing to eradicate corruption in India is to outsource Lokayukta to China. They use narco analysis or brain mapping method to bring out truth from the mouth of corrupt officials/politicians. Then within a week the corrupt will be killed by firing squads in front of public. Their properties will be confiscated. Unless such a system comes into there is no hope of justice .

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • makeMyDay, Mangalore

    Wed, Jul 13 2016

    plz help me with this seculars

    I am unable to link BJP sangis or any other right wing organisation into this

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • P.A.Shanu, Mangalore

    Wed, Jul 13 2016

    Speaking anything bad on a dead person isnt good at all .I dont want to comment anything on Manohar Soans BUT the need to say something on the police constables or officers.I haven't seen or having any idea about 90% of the police officers death.Whatever I seen is miserable.They live like Kings until they are at service, it will be miserable later.
    IS IT BECAUSE OF THE CURSE THEY ARE COLLECTING THROUGHOUT THEIR SERVICE TERM ? iI strongly believe yes.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ramakrishna Adappa, Mangalore

    Wed, Jul 13 2016

    Manohar Soans was extremely honest whereas Ganapathi had many skeletons in his cupboard.
    When Chikamagalur DySP Kallappa Handibag committed suicide the CID found out that it was Cricket Betting mafia was behind Handibag's suicide.
    Cricket betting mafia's head Naveen Shetty was a Mangalorean and he had spread his network in Mangalore also and some police officers of Mangalore were its God-fathers. So just after two days of Kallapa's suicide Ganapathi also Committed suicide. Surely there is some link between the suicide of these two DySPs and cricket betting mafia.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Oswald D'Souza , Mangalore/ Dubai

    Wed, Jul 13 2016

    I would like to begin by thanking the author of this report.

    The admission that Manohar Soans was an upright and honest officer is a source of vindication to my extended family. I am married to his niece and i have always heard good things about him from her, her parents and his wife.

    Going further, we would like to see the names of the politician anx the officers who apparently forced him to take his own life. The reason i use the word apparently is because and read this carefully people, he was right handed. The bullet that killed him entered from the left side of his head. How is it possible for a right handed man to shoot himself in the head using his left hand? There is a possibility that this was a murder and not suicide. I urge daijiworld to look into this matter.

    DisAgree Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • mtihun puttur, puttur

    Wed, Jul 27 2016

    sir how can somebody kill him in the station itself . can somebody murder an SI in his own station.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Robert Pais, Mangalore

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    Each district police should be paid with the tax collected from the people of that district.


    As the state political structure is corrupt( mainly due to our electing the unclean polticians to power - based on cast religion, community etc), POLICE UNDER THE RULING PARTY ARE INDEED CONTROLLED BY THESE " Land Mafia, Sand Mafia, Mine mafia in the sheep clothing in the VIDHANA Sabha.


    Remove this control then the police will be answerable to the DC of each district . But no one will allow this to happen - as every political party wants to use the police for their gain when in power.

    We are following a OUTDATED BRITSH MODEL in terms of police organization and structure. The existing structure is not conducive for democratic setup but rather to serve the colonial rulers.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rita, Germany

    Wed, Jul 13 2016

    @ROBERT p:Mangalore.you are right and not right.These controls are made by the Police I doubt very much.They know very well,during control,certainly can be one or other manipulate, and something sure will fall to their pockets.I am sure it is a welcome to them.Everyone should be faithful to his conscious and dont accept the Money.Then only we dont have this Problem.People too want their work done fast ,so try too to influence them by offering Money.It is a round effect.people too are responsible here.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vishal, Mangalore

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    I refer to the comments by Marle, Kankanady.
    He says:
    Such is the state of my lovely country, politicians looting it and we blindly get fooled for their tricks.
    ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. You have pulled out words from my mouth and written them here.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joe D'Souza, Mangalore

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    Policemen in Karnataka lose their life due to interference of Corrupt Politics playing. Same as Honest Commissioners get transfer due to Corrupt Corporators sticking their nose in functioning of Commissioner.
    Just look and question these Corrupt elected Corporators about transfer of Hepsiba. Now they again stick their stinking nose in transfer of present Commissioner.
    I request every Citizen of Mangalore to stand u[p against Corrupt Crooks.

    DisAgree Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • KRPrabhu, Kudla/Bengaluru

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    If Dysp Ganapathi got killed now as alleged for the fact of his anti christian role in infamous church attack in 2008,how this Dysp Soans deid and for similar reason?
    I do not want to comment like all others here...but just to point such prejeducial wtittings.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • NKShetty, Mlore

    Thu, Jul 14 2016

    Very appropriate comment Mr.Prabhu.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Ronald D, Udupi

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    Shanker do you mean to say beating nuns and women praying inside the church is controlling riot? Do you think they ever involve in riots??? Almighty watched atrocity...that's it!! get ur facts right!!

    DisAgree [8] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • Narayan, Mangalore

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    All these three suicide,Ganapatie,Ravi, and Manohar could be a murder by professionals and politicians. CBI should come out with real truth.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ronald D, Udupi

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    Do not compare lemon and orange!! Where is Manohar Soans and What is Ganapathi and Kallappa!! Do not compare them to honest officers like Soans and insult his dignity!!

    DisAgree [18] Agree [33] Reply Report Abuse

  • neeth, mangalore

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    Religious intolerance ?

    DisAgree [8] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • HARISH, JEPPU

    Thu, Jul 21 2016

    jathi preethi make him blind statement...

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Mohan, Mangalore

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    In democracy you get what you deserve.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • marle, Kankanady

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    Such is the state of my lovely country, politicians looting it and we blindly get fooled for their tricks.

    DisAgree Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rao, Udupi

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    Political interference is inbuilt in our system. It does not go easily. Officers or Government machinery is used extensively for political benefits or for the benefits of goons, well wishers of political parties. This prevails irrespective of any party in power. Sometimes officers join with the political bosses and many a times they are used as pawns. This serves as a misuse of democracy.

    DisAgree Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • shan, dubai

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    Just wasting time in vidana sauda....You resign or him resign and when their time comes they will tell I will not resigned. Now I saw Yeddy is protesting that these three people who made Inspector Ganapati suicide but Yeddy was in Land grabbing and corruption case he was not resigning finally with the total pressure from BJP, he resigned but did he go to jail????

    DisAgree [4] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Manoj, vamanjoor / Mangalore

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    Its really unfortunate that for some veerappan and vajapayee ji are same.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sushanth, Mangalore

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    All people who had commented 'ಕಣ್ಣೀರ ಫಲ', 'karma', fate etc etc...... about Mr. Ganapathy's suicide, do you think this suicide is also the same? Its easy to comment on things on basis of media reports, sitting far away from the place where the events take place.... Do celebrate on somebody's death you psychopaths....

    DisAgree [14] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajesh, Manglore

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    And some of the so called peace lovers celebrating some bodies death. Are they peace lovers or piece lovers ?

    DisAgree [12] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • JP, Mangalore/Dubai

    Wed, Jul 13 2016

    Sushantha, do not make fool out of yourself by comparing honest officer like Soans to maligned officer like Ganapathi. Those people involved in conspiracy got their punishment, you may get one if you support them !!

    DisAgree [4] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • sushanth, Mangalore

    Wed, Jul 13 2016

    @J.P I know Mr. Soans that he was a honest officer. My comment was a comparison on difference in comments for a officer from minority community and a majority community.
    Thanks for your free advice, which is not needed..... May be Siddhu must be in need of it to save his minister

    DisAgree [2] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Bryan, Bahrain

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    All politicians are only there to fill their own pockets, they are all a disgrace, Just Fit For Nothing...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prashanth, Badiadka

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    20 years ago... 1994-1999... Vittal MLA was from BJP. A Rukmaya Poojary.
    Source: wiki

    DisAgree [14] Agree [43] Reply Report Abuse

  • Aravind , Blr

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    Good find. But the news report says politician from vittal circle. It does not say the MLA of Vittal put pressure.

    DisAgree [8] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincent Rodrigues., Frazer Town,Bangalore

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    THE EARLIER INCIDENT OF SOANS WAS DURING YEDDY'S REGIME AND SOANS WAS RATED HIGH AS A BEST POLICE OFFICER.

    DisAgree [17] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jaimini P.B., Manipal,Sharjah

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    Daiji's impartial report unfolded how good,sincere Police officers become victim of political interference under CONgress rule.I don't deny that BJP's share also there in BJP ruled state..But CONgress share is very huge.Encounter specialist Mr.Daya Nayak too became victim..In Ishrat Jahan encounter case,Police officer was jailed for 7 years by Italian Lady Govt..In Karnataka,Inspector Pramod Kumar was transferred 18 times in 12 years Police service..Once he was transferred after 3 months..Congress and BJP both harassed him..Luckily he did not commit suicide like DySP Ganapati..He is a very tough Cop..now waiting for one more transfer...

    DisAgree [11] Agree [32] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vishal, Mangalore

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    Comparing Manohar Soans to Ganapati is like comparing cheese and chalk. While, as per this report, Manohar Soans was an upright and honest inspector, Ganapati, according to reports was dishonest and corrupt.

    DisAgree [23] Agree [35] Reply Report Abuse

  • shobha, mangalore

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    all comments for ganapathy only ,what about kallappa ? who killed kallappa? why this double standard from sanghis?

    DisAgree [12] Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • KK, Shirva

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    Now no one is ready to talk about political pressure faced by Ganapathi. Enquiry team and government more worried about his wife and his doctor. Again we are missing another good opportunity of bringing out Political corruption and pressure on Police Department.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • jeevan, mangalore

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    Why congi suck the blood of the honest and sincere police officers ???

    DisAgree [38] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shankar, Mangalore

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    Yesterday, one section of the minority community was claiming that DySP Ganapathy paid for his sins for controlling a riot in Mangalore.
    Hope, now the other section doesn't come out and say Soans paid for the sins of controlling the rioting Muslims in bhatkal!!

    DisAgree [18] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • kevin , Mangalore

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    One of the best police inspectors ever ...feel proud he was from our community ....

    DisAgree [26] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rakesh, Pune

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    Do you think 20 Years ago Karnataka CM was from BJP ? Everything happening under Congi.. Rule...

    DisAgree [32] Agree [50] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    This is what happens when goons become ministers. The state govt had so many such notorious people in cabinet during Yeddy regime.

    DisAgree [43] Agree [64] Reply Report Abuse

  • balaji , Udupi

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    Can you tell about present Niddramayya regime ???????

    DisAgree [38] Agree [42] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    BSY or your NidreRamayyah are not saints, wolves in sheep's clothing.

    Kashmir is burning but PM was playing Drums in Tanzania.

    DisAgree [14] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • SB, Mlore

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    HAHA...Ironically No police officers committed suicide or protested during that notorious Govt. Now that Holy, Pious people Like Siddhu(who transferred the police who booked his son), George, Dkshi etc are ruling Karnataka Police moral is all time low.

    We can understand the guilt in this comment which is speaking trying to shift the blame on previous Govt which was gone 3 years back . But not to worry, the results of 2018 Karnataka election is already sealed.

    DisAgree [17] Agree [36] Reply Report Abuse

  • SK, Mangalore

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    This is the result of the lesson from Feku Modi, who every time blames Gandhi Family for the bad situation of India, when ever he opens his bad mouth in foreign country... so charges nullified on both sides..

    DisAgree [11] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • John Tauro, M'luru / Kwt

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    Are all saints in the present govt.? Recently one honest police officer resigned and another committed suicide. What and why it's happening?

    DisAgree [15] Agree [30] Reply Report Abuse

  • perchu, pervaje

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    sorry Henry,

    you have already given the wrong information about suicide case of Ganapati. and now once again spread the wrong message about the suicide case of Manohar. in both the case you have insulted dead person. it is known fact that for hiding truth you need to tell many lies story. but finally truth only prevails.

    DisAgree [14] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • WELL WISHER, mangaluru

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    perchu, pervaje,

    read the comments properly again and again, he has not insulted dead person. But in Ganapathy's case every one knows, he involved in church attack and brutally thrashed innocent nuns, women and children. This is the real fact.

    DisAgree [13] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Tue, Jul 12 2016

    @ perchu,

    read my comment again and again, I have not insulted late Manohar soans.

    About Ganapathy's role in 2008 church attacks, read Navin Soorinje's (suratkal) report. And stop making him (Ganapathy) hero.

    DisAgree [17] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse


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