Free textbooks in scrap shop: Owner, junior assistant held

Thiruchirapalli

Perumalsamy (55), who has been running a scrap shot at Muthuvakkeel Road in Mayiladuthurai was asked to vacate the shop as per the court direction. Since the time given by the court had completed by Tuesday (December 29), the revenue officials led by the Mayiladuthurai RDO Maharani went to the shop on Monday to stick the court order in front of the shop.

When the RDO went there, she was shocked to see bundles of text books of 2019-20 for Classes from 6 to 12 that were to be distributed free to the students. Soon she lodged a complaint with the Mayiladuthurai police who registered a case and secured Perumalsamy on Monday. The officials seized all the textbooks.

Interrogating Perumalsamy, the police found that Mekanathan, the junior assistant in the DEO’s office had sold these bundles of books. Subsequently, the police registered a case against the duo under IPC sections 381 (Theft by clerk or servant of property in possession of master), 409 (Criminal breach of trust by public servant) and 411 (Dishonestly receiving stolen property) against Perumalsamy. Subsequently, the police arrested Mekanathan and Perumalsamy on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the DEO’s office suspended Mekanathan for his involvement in the offense. Further probe is e on.