Even as the preliminary hearing in the Kevin murder case began at a special court in Kottayam, heads have started to roll at the district police in connection with the case.
On the heels of terminating the service of an assistant sub-inspector, the department has now initiated similar action against M.S. Shibu, former sub-inspector with the Gandhinagar police station in Kottayam.
Confirming the move, Harisankar, District Police Chief, Kottayam, said Inspector General of Police (Kochi Range) Vijay Sakhare had served a notice to this effect on the Sub-Inspector, who is under suspension, through his office. The dismissal would come into effect once Mr.Shibu replied to the notice.
Two weeks to reply
“The action followed a report submitted by a Deputy Police Superintendent, who conducted a probe against the officer. He has two weeks to reply to the notice and following the termination of service, he may also approach the higher authorities with an appeal against the action,” the officer said.
The internal probe had found the sub-inspector guilty of deliberately delaying police action despite a complaint lodged by Joseph, father of Kevin, on the abduction of his son.
In November last year, the department served a similar notice on assistant sub-inspector T.M. Biju for allegedly abetting the kidnapping and murder of Kevin P. Joseph, a Dalit Christian from Kottayam.
Based on the notice, he was dismissed from service a couple of days ago.
Increment bar
Similarly, Ajayakumar, a police driver at the same station, was handed an increment bar for three years.
Investigations revealed that a patrol under the ASI intercepted the vehicle driven by Shyanu Chacko, a key accused in the case, but he was allowed to go for a bribe of ₹2,000. Later, the police obtained an audio clipping of the conversation between the ASI and the accused.