Mangaluru Police Use KCOCA in Prison Extortion Case

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In a decisive move to tackle organized crime within the prison system, Mangaluru police have invoked the Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act (KCOCA) against four undertrial inmates for allegedly extorting money from a fellow prisoner. The incident highlights rising concerns over criminal networks operating from within correctional facilities and the need for firm legal action.

The four accused Dhanush Bhandary (alias Dhanu), Dilesh Bangera (alias Dillu), Loy Vegas (alias Loy), and Sachin Talapadi are undertrials already facing criminal charges. According to Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy, the inmates assaulted fellow prisoner Mithun and forced him to transfer ₹20,000 through a digital payment platform to an account linked to a relative of one of the accused. The complaint came to light on July 12 during a surprise inspection at Barke prison, where the victim reported the extortion in writing to senior officers.

KCOCA, which is designed to combat organized crime in the state of Karnataka, allows for enhanced investigative tools and stricter punishments for those involved in recurring or structured criminal activity. The act also limits the ability of such offenders to obtain bail, especially when they operate in groups or under criminal syndicates.

Investigators say the accused had a history of gang-related offenses and used intimidation tactics to extract money from fellow inmates. Assistant Commissioner of Police Srikanth has been assigned to lead the inquiry, as authorities work to build a comprehensive case under the KCOCA framework. This is not the first time the act has been applied in the region, but its use inside prison walls underlines the extent to which criminal networks continue to function even while their members are incarcerated.Law enforcement’s decision to apply KCOCA in this case signals a tougher approach to prison crime and aims to dismantle criminal ecosystems that exploit weaknesses in the justice system. As investigations continue, officials hope this sends a clear message that criminal behavior, even behind bars, will be met with swift and uncompromising action.