In a serious breach of protocol, a police sub-inspector in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district has been suspended for allegedly leaking a confidential remand report to a defence lawyer. The action was taken by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ajitha Beegum against the officer, who was serving at the Thiruvalla Police Station.
Suspension Order and Key Allegations
DIG Ajitha Beegum issued the suspension order for Sub-Inspector S L Binukumar, who held a grade post. The core allegation against Binukumar is that he provided a copy of the remand report concerning two accused individuals in an attempted murder case to their lawyer before the suspects were formally presented before a magistrate. This act is considered a major violation of legal and departmental procedures, as such documents are meant for the court's eyes first.
Details of the Case and Investigation
The case revolves around the assault of a youth at a bar in Thiruvalla. The accused, identified as Rahul Manoj and Kiran Thomas, are both listed as Kaapa accused persons. Kaapa refers to the Kerala Anti-social Activities (Prevention) Act, indicating a history of alleged criminal activities.
A police team led by Binukumar himself presented the two suspects at the Thiruvalla Judicial First Class Magistrate Court on November 24. However, an investigation initiated by the Station House Officer (SHO) revealed that Binukumar, who was entrusted with the duty of submitting the remand report copy to the court, instead shared it with the defence lawyer of the accused prior to the court presentation.
The probe dug deeper and uncovered more damaging information. It was found that Binukumar had allegedly accepted money from the same lawyer on multiple occasions in the past. This discovery points to a potential pattern of misconduct beyond a single lapse in judgment.
Implications and Departmental Action
The swift suspension of the sub-inspector underscores the Kerala Police's stance against corruption and procedural violations. Leaking sensitive legal documents can compromise investigations, affect the course of justice, and undermine public trust in the police force. The case highlights the critical importance of maintaining the sanctity of judicial processes. The department's action sends a clear message that such breaches will not be tolerated and will be met with strict disciplinary measures.
The incident raises questions about accountability and the need for robust internal checks within the police system to prevent the misuse of official position and documents.
