A 31-year-old Japanese national stole a chair from the office of Assistant Police Commissioner (ACP), JC Nagar, in Bangalore last Saturday to secure action against police officers who he claims asked him to pay a bribe in relation to a case in 2019.
Hirotoshi Tanaka, who came to Bengaluru to learn English in 2019, said he wants the police to approve him for stealing a chair and arrest him as well.
Speaking to indianexpress.com, Tanaka said she wants to stay in India and seek justice in the 2019 case that has been overturned by the Karnataka High Court. However, that could put him in the crosshairs of the law, since the Office of Regional Registration of Foreigners (FRRO) had set February 28 as the deadline for him to return to his country after the expiration of his visa term.
The case, which was brought against Tanaka at RT Nagar Police Station after she assaulted the director of the English training center where she had enrolled, was dropped after both parties settled it between themselves.
Chair stolen from ACP office by Tanaka (Express Photo)
Tanaka said he visited the police station to present a written apology, but was summoned a week later and told that an FIR had been filed against him. He said he spent one night at the police station and another 19 days in Parappana Agrahara prison before getting a lawyer to release him on bail.
Why was Tanaka arrested?
According to Tanaka, after she joined the English training center, the director asked her to work for the promotion of the center. “Then my salary went up. I wasn’t expecting a good salary, of course, but I worked hard and with kindness. Then I texted him for six days, asking about my salary. But they were ignored. When I saw him again, on November 13, 2019, I brought it up and we had a heated discussion. I yelled at the director and pushed him to what he said, ‘If you touch me again, you can’t stay in Bengaluru anymore.’ I lost my patience and hit him hard, ”Tanaka told indianexpress.com.
The owner of the center approached the police against the Japanese student. He was summoned by the police and told to write an apology before releasing him. “Since the case concerned illegal work, I told (the principal) to refund the cost of tuition, otherwise I would address it with FRRO. Police said they had arranged a meeting with him at RT Nagar Police Station to resolve the matter. However, while I was waiting for him, I was suddenly arrested. My mobile phone was confiscated and they put me behind bars, ”Tanaka said.
Tanaka’s complaint to the human rights commission. (Express photo)
On November 2, 2020, the case was dismissed by the superior court.
The Japanese then approached the state human rights panel and requested an investigation into the alleged corruption of the officers.
Tanaka said a police chief from RT Nagar Police Station gave him 1,500 rupees on the day he was released in December 2019, adding that he later returned the amount. “He had no money and he slept in parks. My wallet was stolen in a park in March of last year. Some policemen took care of my meals, ”he said.
“I did not bribe the police before I got out of jail. After being released on bail, a police officer from RT Nagar Police Station demanded a bribe – 8,500 rupees – for returning my bag that I had kept during my custody. The complainant (owner of the training center) bribed the police before they arrested me, ”he said.
A psychology graduate from Yaizu city in Japan’s Shizuoka prefecture, Tanaka filed a complaint with the human rights commission last month. “A hearing was scheduled, but it had to be postponed because the Bengaluru City Police did not send a report on my case,” Tanaka said.
He said he wants to stay behind and make sure the commission punishes officers who allegedly took a bribe from him. “I stole a chair because I wanted to get booked for the crime and stay in jail so I can continue the case against the officers and make sure they are brought to justice before returning. As long as I have my books and medicines, I can stay in jail. No problem, ”Tanaka said.
Tanaka didn’t show up to investigating officer, cops say
Speaking to indianexpress.com, DCP North Dharmendra Kumar Meena said: “Tanaka made an accusation and sent us a petition. ACP, JC Nagar, who is investigating the case, sent him an email asking him to appear, but he did not. “
Police said there has been no case against the Japanese for stealing a chair from the ACP office. Speaking to this portal, a superior officer said: “The reason we are not bringing charges against him is that he is already violating the Passport Law and the Foreigners Law. The FRRO gave him until February 28 to return to his country, but he has not done so. Now he wants to reserve himself so he can extend his stay. “
“The Japanese consulate has also asked him to return but he does not respond. It seems that even the envoys have lost hope in him, ”said the officer.
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