Police team comes under lens after loot goes missing

The incident happened a few days ago when a special team from the Kodambakkam police station secured a burglary accused and recovered about 20 sovereigns and cash from him. But without arresting him and returning the jewels to the victim as per the procedure, the police team, which reportedly included a senior officer, shared the retrieved jewels among themselves and released the suspect.

However, soon the Mambalam police secured the accused again and when they questioned him, he reportedly told them that he handed over the valuables to the Kodambakkam police to be let off without arrest.

Following this, Joint Commissioner (South) C Mageshwari was informed about the incident and Commissioner AK Viswanathan, too, was apprised of it. After the Commissioner ordered a probe, a woman inspector, who led the special team, has been asked to appear for the inquiry.

Sources said that though she did not take any valuables, she would be questioned to find out what exactly transpired and whether any senior officer was involved in it. While initial reports claimed that the victim himself came to know about the loot and lodged a police complaint, the police denied it. When contacted, a Deputy Commissioner on condition of anonymity said that they were still probing the incident, adding that they were yet to get a clear picture.

The incident has created flutter within the police force in the city. This is not the first time that police officers are facing allegations of being involved in such incidents. In the most recent case, three constables were arrested by the Railway police for extorting money from a passenger at Chennai Central station in August last year.