Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, July 23: Sections of the Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act (KCOCA) have been invoked against four undertrial prisoners accused of extortion from a fellow inmate in a case registered at Barke Police Station.

Case number 76/2025 was registered against Dhanush Bhandary alias Dhanu, Dilesh Bangera alias Dillu, Loy Vegas alias Loy, and Sachin Talapadi under sections 308(4) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The accused allegedly assaulted a fellow prisoner and extorted Rs 20,000, which was deposited into accounts provided by the accused through the victim’s wife.

Barke police station (file photo)

Police sources said the accused were already facing multiple criminal cases under trial, each punishable with over three years' imprisonment. Their repeated criminal conduct falls under the definitions of "Organized Crime", "Organized Crime Syndicate", and "Continuing Unlawful Activity" as per the provisions of the KCOCA.

The Act provides for stringent penalties, including a minimum of five years of imprisonment, which may extend to life. If the act of organized crime results in the death of any person, the punishment may include life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

Additionally, any individual who is a member of an organized crime syndicate is liable for punishment ranging from five years to life imprisonment under the Act, even in the absence of prior convictions.