Two cops suspended for extorting money from quarry owner

TIRUR: Two policemen were suspended in Valancherry for extorting money after threatening a quarry owner. Action has been taken against Valanchery circle inspector Sunil Das (53) and sub inspector Bindulal (48). They were suspended based on the report of Malappuram SP.

The SP’s report said three people, including two police officers, were involved in the case. The case is being investigated by the crime branch. The police had yesterday arrested Bindulal and middleman Ponnathodi Asainar (39) of Palakkad Thiruvegappura. The circle inspector is on the run.

Explosives were seized from a quarry in Valancherry last month. The Valanchery police after an investigation arrested Tirur Muthur native Nisar, who was an agent in supplying explosives. Money was taken through Nisar by threatening to arrest the owner of the quarry.

Nisar paid the money after released from jail. The case is that the sub inspector received 10 lakhs from the agent, circle inspector 8 lakhs and the intermediary received Rs 4 lakh. Nisar himself disclosed the information to the higher officials.

A case was registered based on the preliminary investigation report of Malappuram DySP T Manoj. A police team led by Tirur DySP P P Shamas reached the Valanchery station yesterday morning and arrested the SI. The arrested were produced in Tirur court and remanded. An investigation for the circle inspector has been intensified.