Thiruvananthapuram,19 July (H.S.):An inspector attached to the State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB) has been placed under suspension after he allegedly entered the Nedumangad Police Station in an intoxicated state and attempted to free accused persons being held in connection with a criminal case.

Inspector Yahiya M, who is posted with the MOIS Wing of the SCRB at Chelannur, was suspended with immediate effect pending a departmental inquiry. The action was taken by the State Police Chief through an order issued by the Inspector General of Police after reports were submitted by the Thiruvananthapuram Range Deputy Inspector General and the Thiruvananthapuram Rural District Police Chief.

According to the suspension order, the incident took place around 1.05 pm on Friday when Yahiya allegedly entered the police station without the permission of officers on guard duty. He is accused of attempting to release persons who had been remanded to the station lock-up after being arrested in connection with a violent clash near Chullimanoor in Panavoor on Thursday. Police had registered five cases in connection with the clash and the investigation was in progress.

Police personnel at the station reportedly suspected that the officer was under the influence of alcohol and shifted him to a hospital for a blood alcohol test. After the medical examination, he was brought back and booked under Section 117(e) of the Kerala Police Act, which deals with obstructing or intimidating a police officer in the discharge of official duties.

The suspension order describes the alleged conduct as grave misconduct that has brought disrepute to the police force. It also points out that videos of the incident circulated widely on social media, damaging the image of the department.

Invoking Rule 10 of the Kerala Police Departmental Inquiries, Punishment and Appeal Rules, 1958, the State Police Chief ordered Yahiya's suspension pending disciplinary proceedings. During the suspension period, he will be entitled only to the subsistence allowance admissible under the rules. The Superintendent of Police, SCRB, has also been directed to record the suspension in his service register.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman