Kochi, 29 Oct (H.S.): A sub-inspector attached to the Ernakulam Central police station has been suspended following an inquiry into allegations that he removed MDMA stored at the station as evidence in a criminal case.

The officer, identified as Anas, faced disciplinary action after an inquiry ordered amid mounting controversy over the incident. According to information emerging from the inquiry, the narcotic substance was allegedly taken from police custody and subsequently returned.

The station house officer of Ernakulam Central had submitted a detailed report to the Police Commissioner outlining the circumstances surrounding the incident. The report also recommended further investigation to establish the full sequence of events and determine whether additional action was warranted.

The suspension comes against the backdrop of earlier allegations that action against the sub-inspector was being delayed. While the departmental inquiry has resulted in his suspension, several questions concerning the alleged removal and return of the seized substance remain unresolved.

Information has also emerged that Anas had accumulated debts linked to online trading. Whether the alleged removal of the drugs was connected to an attempt to raise money to settle those liabilities is an aspect requiring investigation. No such motive has been established.

Investigators will also need to examine whether the officer used narcotic substances or had any connections with drug trafficking networks. These remain questions for investigation, and the available information does not establish either possibility.

Police are understood to be considering registering a criminal case and proceeding with a more extensive investigation. However, there was no confirmation in the available account that a case had been registered.

Further investigation is expected to clarify how the substance was accessed, the circumstances in which it was returned and whether anyone else was involved. The suspension is a departmental measure and does not establish guilt in criminal proceedings.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman