Kerala DySP suspended for molesting woman in custody, taking bribes
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Thiruvananthapuram: A deputy superintendent of police in Kerala has been suspended days after allegations emerged that he sexually assaulted a woman who had been taken into custody on prostitution charges, following the recent suicide of a fellow police officer.
A Umesh, serving as the deputy SP of Vatakara under Kozhikode Rural, was suspended with immediate effect by the Home Department on the recommendation of the state police chief, based on an internal inquiry.
According to the inquiry report, while posted as the inspector of the Vadakkenchery police station in Palakkad, the officer had misused his official position by sexually exploiting the woman and collecting bribes from individuals associated with the immoral activity.
The matter surfaced after the recovery of a suicide note written by Cherpulassery Station House Officer Binu Thomas, who was found dead on November 15.
A government order shared by the Chief Minister’s Office on Sunday said a special report submitted by the state police chief found that the “indisciplined, immoral and illegal activities” of the officer had tarnished the reputation of the entire police force.
The government, after examining the findings in detail, noted that the report prima facie established grave misconduct, indiscipline, abuse of power, and immoral and illegal actions by the deputy SP.
“In the circumstances, Umesh A, deputy SP, is suspended from service with immediate effect pending disciplinary action,” the order said.
The government has also directed the state police chief to propose a panel of competent officers to be appointed as the inquiry officer for conducting an oral inquiry.
With PTI inputs