A city-based businessman was booked under IPC and SC/ST Atrocities Act for refusing to rent out a commercial space for a dalit organisation.
Saradamma, a resident of Venkateshpura and member of Dalit Seva Sangha (DSS) was looking for a commercial space on rent to set up an office and a training centre in MSR Layout.
During the house hunting on January 19, they found a to-let board and went to check the place. The owner of the house later identified as Raghu MS had gone out of station.
He later returned and asked Saradamma to check out the place. During casual inquiry, Raghu asked her the purpose of renting the place. When Saradamma mentioned that she was from a dalit organization, Raghu reportedly refused to give the place on rent saying he would not want backward caste people as tenants and reportedly abused her.
Based on her complaint, Sadashivanagar police have taken up a case and are investigating further.