Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Damaged Document Dispute Triggers Scuffle and Police Lathi-Charge
A document was damaged at a service centre in Puttur.
The people who brought the document argued with the centre owner and her son.
Both sides made different claims about who was abused or assaulted.
Three cases were registered by the police.
The centre owner’s son, Sudarshan Pai, was arrested and sent to judicial custody until September 2.
A large crowd gathered outside the centre.
Police used a mild lathi-charge when some people did not leave.
Police also said some people obstructed officers from doing their duty.
Investigators are checking videos and other evidence to decide what further action is needed.
An argument over a damaged laminated document at Dream Destination Janaseva Kendra in Puttur became physical.
Fathimath Miswan alleged that Sudarshan Pai assaulted and threatened her and her siblings; they received hospital treatment.
Centre operator Anjana Pai alleged that customers abused and assaulted her while demanding documents or compensation.
Police registered three cases, arrested Sudarshan Pai, and said some people obstructed officers from taking suspects to the station.
A crowd was dispersed with a mild lathi-charge, while police examine video footage and investigate conflicting allegations.
- Who
- Fathimath Miswan and people accompanying her; centre operator Anjana Pai and her son Sudarshan Pai; other named individuals including Mubashira, Mubarish, Mubarish, Naushad and Niyaz were mentioned in the complaints or police account.
- What
- A dispute over a damaged document allegedly escalated into a scuffle, crowd confrontation, alleged obstruction of police, three criminal cases, and a mild police lathi-charge.
- When
- The incident occurred on Friday; the specific date was not provided. Sudarshan Pai was remanded in judicial custody until September 2.
- Where
- Dream Destination Janaseva Kendra in the Darbe area of Puttur; treatment was provided at Puttur Government Hospital.
- Why
- The dispute began after a document was damaged during printing or lamination. The two sides gave conflicting accounts about demands, abuse, assault and police intervention.
Complainant and accompanying customers
Service-centre operator and police account
Cause of the dispute
Complainant and accompanying customers
Fathimath Miswan said a document was damaged and asked the centre to rectify it or pay Rs 300 for a replacement. Another account said the customers sought the documents or Rs 10,000.
Service-centre operator and police account
Anjana Pai said the document was damaged because of a technical problem and that staff informed her a woman was creating a disturbance.
Alleged assault
Complainant and accompanying customers
Miswan alleged that Sudarshan Pai abused, assaulted and threatened her and her siblings; the three later received hospital treatment.
Service-centre operator and police account
Anjana Pai alleged that two women and a man abused and assaulted her while attempting to record a video, and that another person threatened her. Police registered complaints and counter-complaints.
Police conduct and arrests
Complainant and accompanying customers
The complainant in the first case questioned why Anjana Pai had not been arrested, while people at the hospital alleged that a constable involved in the lathi-charge had consumed alcohol.
Service-centre operator and police account
Police said they were examining the arrest objections, denied that the constable was intoxicated after an alcoholmeter test, and said no personnel were assaulted. Police also said some people obstructed officers from taking persons to the station.
- Location
- Darbe area, Puttur
- Service centre
- Dream Destination Janaseva Kendra, also called Dream Destination Digital Seva Kendra
- Initial dispute
- A document was damaged during printing, photocopying or lamination; police attributed the damage to a technical problem.
- Cases
- Police registered three cases under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- Arrest
- Sudarshan Pai was arrested and remanded in judicial custody until September 2.
- Police action
- Police used a mild lathi-charge to disperse a crowd that did not leave.
- Investigation
- Police are examining videos, including CCTV footage from the centre and hospital, and reviewing objections about the arrests.
