Rs four lakh stolen from Poojappura jail cafeteria; former convict arrested

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A former convict was arrested for conducting theft in the jail cafeteria in Poojappura. Abdulkhadi, a native of Pothencode, was arrested. He was a former prisoner of Poojappura jail. Abdulkhadi has also served two years in prison in a theft case.

The theft took place in the cafeteria of Poojappura jail last week, and Rs four lakhs were stolen. The report found serious failure by the prison department in the case. The cafeteria is staffed by 15 jail inmates and 10 temporary employees. Prison officials also have duties. From the beginning, police knew that the crime was committed by someone very familiar with the workings of this cafeteria. Therefore, the police investigation focused on the employees and prisoners.

The thief, who broke the glass door on one side of the cafeteria, took the key from the table in the office and opened the room where the money was kept. The money in the cupboard was also stolen. The collection amount for four days was kept in an unsafe place. The income for the 14th and 15th of this month could have been paid to the treasury on Saturday, but the officials delayed. The cafeteria generated good revenue on Sunday, and this money too was kept in an unsafe place as before.