After a five-and-a-half-year legal battle, the Karnataka government has paid Rs 75,000 in compensation to Hirotoshi Tanaka, a 36-year-old Japanese national who was imprisoned in Bengaluru for 19 days in 2019. Tanaka, who had arrived in India to study English, successfully challenged his arrest and subsequent allegations of police bribery before the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission and the Karnataka High Court.
Legal Battle and Compensation
The compensation follows a 2022 ruling by the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission, which found that police officials failed to provide a proper reason for Tanaka’s arrest. According to the commission’s chairperson, DH Waghela, the lack of procedural compliance regarding bailable offences led to Tanaka’s “unnecessary judicial custody.” Following the commission’s recommendation, the state government filed an affidavit in April confirming the payment and the initiation of disciplinary action against B Hanumantharayappa, then a sub-inspector who handled the case.
Hanumantharayappa, now 65, has denied the allegations of bribery and harassment. In his 35 years and four months of service, the officer stated this is the first time a departmental inquiry has been initiated against him. He maintains that he followed the rule book, noting that Tanaka was produced before a magistrate because he lacked the necessary surety for release. The officer has contested the commission’s judgment in the Karnataka High Court, where the matter remains under consideration.
Did You Know? Hirotoshi Tanaka attempted to force his own arrest by stealing a plastic chair from the RT Nagar police station in February 2021. He believed the act would be classified as a non-bailable offence, potentially delaying his impending deportation by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office.
The Path to Detention and Deportation
Tanaka’s legal troubles began in November 2019 following a physical altercation with the head of an English academy in RT Nagar. Although the charges of voluntarily causing hurt and criminal intimidation were bailable, he was held in Bengaluru Central Prison until December 11, 2019. During his imprisonment, Tanaka reported that cash, cigarettes, and other prohibited items were available to inmates. He credited a fellow prisoner, Shankar, with providing the support necessary to secure his release.
Following his release, Tanaka alleged that officer B Hanumantharayappa demanded bribes to close the case. The situation was further complicated by the Covid-19 pandemic and a severe health crisis that left Tanaka hospitalized. In November 2020, the Karnataka High Court quashed the FIR against him after he reached a resolution with the academy head. Despite his freedom, he was eventually deported to Japan in late April 2021.
Future Prospects and Personal Life
Despite being blacklisted following his deportation, Tanaka has maintained his connection to India through his wife, whom he met in Bengaluru. The couple reconnected online after his return to Japan and married in 2025. As his wife’s spouse visa for Japan is currently being processed, Tanaka has expressed a desire to return to India to visit her hometown and meet her family.
The state government’s payment of compensation marks the resolution of two of the three recommendations made by the human rights panel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Hirotoshi Tanaka initially imprisoned?
Tanaka was booked for voluntarily causing hurt and criminal intimidation after an altercation with the head of an English academy. He was arrested on November 23, 2019, and spent 19 days in custody.
What was the outcome of the complaint filed with the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission?
The commission ruled in Tanaka’s favor in May 2022. It recommended Rs 75,000 in compensation, disciplinary action against the officer involved, and the issuance of new guidelines for police handling cases involving foreign nationals.
Is Tanaka currently allowed to enter India?
Tanaka was deported in April 2021 and is currently blacklisted. He has expressed a wish to visit India to see his wife’s family, but his ability to return remains subject to immigration regulations.
How do you view the role of human rights commissions in resolving disputes between individuals and law enforcement?
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