A 40-year-old software engineer, his minor son, and aged father were among the five volunteers detained by the Bellandur police on Saturday allegedly for distributing free food to the poor. They were volunteers of the city-based Dhyan Foundation
The action was taken by the police after the owner of a dhaba situated close by created a ruckus accusing them of causing nuisance in the area, and disturbing his business. Incidentally, the volunteers had complained to the police about a month ago against the dhaba owner for harassing and abusing them frequently. They said instead of taking action, the volunteers were detained for questioning for over two hours until senior police officials intervened .
The victim Gourav Gupta has been running the initiative of feeding the poor and needy for the last four years. As part of the initiative, which started before Covid-19, the volunteers decided to supply food packets to children, immigrant workers, pushcart vendors, and rag pickers. “People who wait for us collect the food packets and go within a few minutes,” a volunteer said, adding that they don’t eat there or litter the place. The food distribution takes place for one hour every Saturday.
