Bengaluru: Allegations of social boycott and assault within a city church have triggered a controversy after police reportedly filed a ‘B report’ despite the complainant claiming to have submitted video evidence and eyewitness statements.
Santosh Kumar, a resident of Chikkagubbi, has petitioned the chief secretary, home secretary, DGP and Bengaluru police commissioner seeking transfer of the case registered at Bagalur police station to the CID for further investigation.
The complaint pertains to an incident at the Christian Fellowship Church (CFC) in Bellahalli near Hennur Road. Santhosh Kumar, who claims to have been a member of the church since 2002, alleged that he was prevented from attending church activities after he questioned certain irregularities in its functioning.
According to him, on June 8, 2025, he was allegedly attacked by pastors while heading to Sunday prayers. He initially approached Bagalur police station but alleged that an FIR was not registered. Following intervention at a higher level, an FIR (Crime No. 0185/2026) was subsequently filed.
However, Santhosh Kumar has now alleged that during the course of investigation, police failed to consider video footage of the incident and did not record statements of key witnesses, including his mother, whom he claims was an eyewitness. He further alleged that investigators did not record his statement despite being in contact with him and ultimately filed a B report, effectively closing the case for lack of evidence.
In his representation, Santhosh Kumar contended that such actions indicate bias and has sought a CID probe into the matter.
Beyond the specific case, he has also urged the state government to frame clearer regulatory norms for the administration of churches. He alleged that cancellation of church membership is being used as a form of “social boycott”, depriving individuals of their right to religious practice.
Santhosh Kumar argued that there is a lack of clarity in the legal framework governing the establishment, administration and accountability of churches, which, he claimed, allows influential individuals to evade scrutiny.
Police officials have not yet publicly responded to the allegations.