Drunk man triggers police hunt in Karnataka’s Belagavi with fake ‘rape and murder’ call; booked

Subsequently, a case was registered against the caller under sections 217 (giving false information to a public servant), 212 (knowingly furnishing false information), and 248 (making false charges of an offence with intent to injure) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, after obtaining permission from the court.

The police said the accused was intoxicated at the time of making the call. “Since the offence initially fell under the non-cognisable category, he was not taken into custody immediately. An NCR (Non-Cognisable Report) was registered, and a notice was issued to him on February 5. After securing court permission, the case was formally booked under the relevant sections,” a police officer said.

They also said the accused handled tile fittings and would travel regularly between Dharwad and the city, making trips every few weeks or months. On the day of the incident, he allegedly went to a wine shop before making the false emergency call.

The police warned that misuse of emergency services by providing false information is a punishable offence, and said such actions unnecessarily divert their resources and hamper response to genuine emergencies.

Further investigation is underway, they added.