KOCHI: Kochi DCP Aishwarya Dongre has again caught up in controversy by suspending a civil police officer who took the initiative to install a coffee vending machine in the police station. Aishwarya Dongre has suspended C P Raghu, who took the initiative to install a coffee vending machine in Kalamassery police station.

The suspended CPO has also given his interview to media outlets during the inauguration of the coffee vending machine in the police station. The police officer is suspended citing that he has given the interview without getting nod from higher officials. But rumours among policemen is that the CPO was suspended by the DCP as she was not invited to the inauguration of the coffee vending machine.

Raghu has installed the vending machine by investing his own money and also by collecting money from his colleagues. Sources say that he had taken prior permission from higher police officials. The station has also received applause from higher police authorities for installing the coffee vending machines as part of the Janamaitri project to make the police station more people-friendly.

Kalamassery police have also shown similar people-friendly acts earlier also. During the lockdown period, they had carried out the free distribution of food kits among the homeless and destitute persons and fed the street dogs.

Dongre is notoriously known for insensitive measures against police personnel. Earlier she had sought clarification from a woman police security guard who failed to recognise her in civilian clothes, on failing to give the clarification Dongre even took harsh disciplinary measures against the police guard, which set of a controversy. Later Dongre also justified that action was taken on the women police guard as she was not paying attention.