'It is not always necessary to have women police in search team, police have right to conduct search as per law'

PALAKKAD: ASP Ashwathy GG said that nothing illegal was found during the inspection carried out in the rooms where Palakkad Congress leaders were staying. Police conducted inspections in the rooms of Congress leaders, including Shanimol Usman and Bindu Krishna, on Tuesday night following allegations that black money was hidden for election campaign purposes. The ASP said that the police have the right to conduct searches as per the law.

"Even if a woman is in the room, she can be asked to step out in emergency situations. It is not always necessary to have women police in the search team. The woman leaders initially said they were not prepared for inspection. The search was conducted in their rooms only after female officers arrived. There were no obstacles to the search. The search list was handed over. 12 rooms in the hotel were inspected. The search was conducted in rooms occupied by leaders of all parties. We will examine CCTV footage from the hotel if we receive any complaints," she said

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The special squad arrived at the hotel at 2 am to conduct a search based on a complaint filed against UDF candidate Rahul Mamkootathil. However, a conflict occurred during the inspection as the Congress came forward alleging that the police had invaded the rooms of the women leaders.