Duped trainees of Rs seven lakh for online gaming; Probe ongoing against police officer in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A case was registered against a policeman of the 3rd battalion of the Kerala Armed Police for embezzling Rs seven lakh collected from his colleagues. The Peroorkada police registered a case of embezzlement against Shambhu R. Krishnan. It is alleged that the police official used the embezzled money for online gambling and lost it all.

Shambhu is a member of the seven-member uniform committee. Shambhu embezzled the money from his colleagues to buy uniform materials and sew them for the police recruit trainees of the 3rd and 5th battalions of the SAP. The money should have been paid to the SAP Dry Canteen and the Wilson'S Allied Police Uniform Society. However, the amount collected was not paid to the Dry Canteen or the Uniform Society. When questioned by trainees, Shambhu confessed to losing the money to online games. Immediately, Mujeeb Rahman, the temporary commandant of the SAP battalion, filed a complaint with the Peroorkada police.

The FIR states that money was transferred from trainees to the accused's mobile number from July 3 to 13. The amount transferred ranged from Rs 10,000 to Rs 60,000. It is recorded that Rs 44,000 was transferred from RTPC 139 of the Fourth Platoon on July 5 and Rs 41,800 on July 6. Rs 33,000 each was transferred from RTPC 104 of the Fifth Platoon on July 6 and 7. A total of Rs 7.18 lakh reached the accused's account.

The police have started an investigation into the incident. The police are collecting Shambhu's bank details. A report was submitted to the battalion chief in the incident. It is indicated that Shambhu will be arrested soon. There is also a possibility of departmental action.