Moodbidri Police Inspector suspended amid allegations of sexual misconduct and extortion

Mangaluru

In a significant move to uphold the integrity of the police force, Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy issued a suspension order on March 17, 2026, for Sandesh P G, the Circle Inspector of the Moodbidri police station. The action follows a wave of serious allegations involving sexual harassment, professional misconduct, and bribery that have sent shockwaves through the coastal district.

The suspension comes after several audio and video recordings purportedly featuring the inspector went viral on social media platforms, alongside formal complaints lodged by women who had approached the station for assistance.

The Catalyst: Audio clips and formal complaints

The controversy erupted when digital evidence surfaced online, appearing to show Inspector Sandesh engaging in highly inappropriate and “questionable” conversations with a woman. While the authenticity of the clips is being verified by forensic experts, the content was deemed sufficient to warrant immediate administrative action.

Following the viral leaks, a woman filed a formal complaint alleging a harrowing experience of extortion. According to her statement, the inspector demanded a bribe of ₹25 lakh and sought sexual favours in exchange for facilitating the release of her husband, who was currently in judicial custody.

“The power dynamic at play is deeply concerning,” stated a representative from a local legal aid collective. “When a citizen goes to a police station seeking justice and is instead met with demands for money or bodily autonomy, it erodes the very foundation of public trust.”

Intervention by the State Women’s Commission

The gravity of the situation prompted the Karnataka State Commission for Women to take suo motu (on its own motion) notice of the case. The Chairperson of the Commission expressed outrage over the reports, noting that multiple women had come forward alleging that the inspector routinely harassed female visitors.

The Commission has directed the Mangaluru City Police to submit a comprehensive report within ten days. “We have received testimonies suggesting that this was not an isolated incident but a pattern of behaviour where the officer exploited his position to intimidate vulnerable women,” a Commission official noted.

Preliminary inquiry and departmental Action

The suspension was not an arbitrary decision but followed a swift preliminary inquiry conducted by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) of the North Sub-division. The inquiry report highlighted that the officer’s conduct was “unbecoming of a member of the disciplined force” and cited a clear violation of the Karnataka State Civil Services (Conduct) Rules.

Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy confirmed the suspension, stating, “The department has a zero-tolerance policy toward any form of misconduct, especially when it concerns the safety and dignity of women. Pending a full-scale departmental inquiry, Inspector Sandesh P. G. will remain under suspension.”

Complexities in the investigation

While the evidence against the inspector appears substantial, investigators are also navigating a complex web of background details. Internal sources indicate that some of the individuals who came forward with allegations are themselves currently under investigation or involved in separate criminal cases.

Police officials have noted that while these backgrounds do not excuse any potential misconduct by the inspector, they are being factored into the broader investigation to determine if there were elements of entrapment or professional rivalry involved. However, the priority remains the verification of the sexual harassment and extortion claims.

Public outcry and demand for reforms

The incident has triggered protests from local activist groups in Moodbidri and Mangaluru, calling for more than just a suspension. Protesters have demanded a criminal case be registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act and relevant sections of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) pertaining to sexual harassment by a person in authority.

The Dakshina Kannada region has seen various communal and political tensions in recent years, and the conduct of the local police often sits at the heart of public sentiment. This scandal has reignited calls for the mandatory installation of audio-enabled CCTV cameras in every room of police stations to ensure transparency.

Current status

Inspector Sandesh P. G. has been ordered to report to the police headquarters and is prohibited from leaving the district without prior permission. The Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) of the Mangaluru City Police is also expected to conduct a parallel probe into the workplace harassment aspects of the case.

As the departmental inquiry progresses, the eyes of the public and the State Women’s Commission remain fixed on Mangaluru, waiting to see if the suspension leads to a permanent dismissal or criminal prosecution.