SI, CPO suspended for consuming alcohol while on duty

THODUPUZHA: A Sub-Inspector (SI) and a Civil Police Officer (CPO) have been suspended after blood test results confirmed that they had consumed alcohol while on duty. Karimannoor SI N.S. Roy and CPO Jijo Antony were suspended by Ernakulam Range DIG Yathish Chandra following the test results.

The incident occurred in the early hours of July 20, when the two officers asked local residents to end a big-screen screening of the FIFA World Cup final before the prize distribution ceremony. Suspecting that the officers were intoxicated, locals informed Thodupuzha Circle Inspector Sijo Varghese.

During the subsequent inspection, a liquor bottle was found inside the official police vehicle. Although a breath analyser brought from the police station was found to be faulty, no effort was made to arrange another device. The officers were then taken to the district hospital, where an initial medical examination reportedly concluded that they had not consumed alcohol.

However, locals later searched the police vehicle and claimed to have found banned tobacco products and playing cards. Following protests at the hospital, the police agreed to collect blood samples from the two officers for laboratory testing.

The following day, based on a complaint filed by the SI, the police registered a case against 208 people, including a CPM area secretary and several DYFI district leaders, for allegedly obstructing public servants from discharging their duties. The FIR also alleged that locals had planted the liquor bottle and other items inside the police jeep.

After the blood test results confirmed that both officers had consumed alcohol, Idukki District Police Chief Dr A. Naseem submitted a report to the Ernakulam Range DIG. Based on the findings, departmental action was initiated, leading to the suspension of the SI and the CPO.