Smuggler’s diary triggers cops’ transfer

VELLORE: Six police personnel, including a sub-inspector (SI), two special sub-inspectors (SSIs) attached to Jolarpettai Police and four constables from the Prohibition Enforcement Wing of Vaniyambadi have been transferred to various police stations in Arakkonam sub-division for their alleged links with bootleggers.

A week ago, Anandan, a notorious bootlegger from northern TN, was arrested by Krishnagiri Police while he was smuggling liquor in a van from Jolarpettai. He refused to cooperate, claiming he shouldn’t be arrested as he was paying the police regular bribes for access. A diary was recovered from him, in which he had listed names of policemen he had bribed. The police team also found that he was in touch with sub-inspector Ezhumalai, SSIs Panneer Selvam and Vasudevan and constables Kalidas, Kalaiyarasi and Praveen Kumar.

This apart, to alert him on possible PEW raids, he nurtured ties with four constables – Anbazhagan, Kannan, Kavitha and Senthil – of Vaniyambadi PEW. “Mobile phone records of Anandhan have been traced and it was found that he regularly spoke to 10 policemen,” said sources.

However, during investigation, all the police personnel denied any links with bootlegger. Acting on the recommendation of Tirupattur DSP Balakrishnan, Superintendent of Police P Pakalavan ordered transfer of SI, SSIs and two constables of Jolarpettai Police Station and four constables of PEW to various police stations in Arakkonam sub-division. A woman constable was transferred to Gudiyatham Town Police.
When contacted, Balakrishnan said he had no information on the bulk transfer of policemen.