Bengaluru Apartment Association Charged for Operating Illegal Justice System and Concealing Serious Crimes

The matter is currently under investigation. (Representational)

Bengaluru police have launched a criminal investigation against a residential apartment association and its security contractor for allegedly operating their own unauthorized justice system, bypassing legal authorities.

Kumbalgodu police filed charges against Provident Sunworth Apartment Association and Tyco Security for creating and enforcing unauthorized penal rules, conducting internal investigations, and imposing monetary penalties on residents accused of criminal activities.

The apartment complex, located in Doddabele in southwest Bengaluru, houses residents from various parts of the country, including students. Police investigators claim that several residents were involved in offenses ranging from minor violations to serious crimes such as sexual assault, theft, and narcotics consumption within the premises and surrounding areas.

Rather than reporting these incidents to law enforcement, the apartment association allegedly established their own bylaws, interrogated accused individuals internally, collected monetary fines, and allowed offenders to avoid legal prosecution. The security agency reportedly assisted in implementing these unauthorized procedures.

According to police, this practice resulted in suppression of criminal cases, denial of justice to victims, and helped perpetrators escape legal consequences.

"Upon receiving information about these activities, we decided to file charges against them for attempting to shield individuals involved in crimes against women, theft, and drug-related offenses," stated Anitha B Haddannavar, IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police, South West Division. "These crimes should have been reported to proper authorities. Instead, they attempted to manage them internally through unauthorized regulations. The association had created their own bylaws for imposing fines. In recent months alone, they collected fines up to Rs 25,000 for illegal substance use."

Based on these allegations, authorities have registered a case at Kumbalgodu Police Station under Sections 211, 238, 239, 3(5) and 3(6) of the law, along with relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Police officials have emphasized that private associations have no legal authority to investigate criminal matters or impose penalties, and all crimes must be reported to law enforcement without exception.