Udupi:  A 24-year-old youth tried to commit suicide at his residence on September 25, Thursday following alleged torture by police after a girl filed a complaint against him for harassment.

The victim identified as Praveen, a resident of Laxminagar, Malpe had consumed pesticide to kill himself.

Praveen’s elder brother Purnachandra said that, a girl and her family lodged a complaint against Praveen and his eight friends on September 21 accusing them of harassing her. But the matter was false since Praveen was being harassed by her and her family. When Praveen went to Malpe police station to file a counter complaint against her the police, refused to register his case.

Praveen’s younger brother Sachin said that Praveen and eight others were assaulted and tortured by Malpe police on September 21 on the fake charges of supplying ganja and molesting the girl.

He also said that, Praveen was attending a marriage at his neighbour’s house on September 25, Wednesday when police arrived and warned him and the others in front of the villagers. Ashamed by this, he tried to commit suicide.

Purnachandra urged Udupi SI to conduct a thorough probe into the case and take strict action against the Malpe police.

Praveen in his suicide note stated that the matter is not related to girl but had suffered a lot on her account and hence decided to kill himself. But he has not mentioned about police torture.

Praveen been admitted to Adarsh hospital and is in critical condition.

Udupi SI Madhu said that the complaint was lodged in police station against the youth over ganja peddling. Police had even called his parents and let him go after warning. He had never approached to file counter complaint. An allegations against police torture are too false, He added.