The Acting Officer-in-Charge of the Sainthamaruthu Police Station and a police constable have been arrested by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over an alleged Rs. 20,000 bribe.
The arrests relate to an incident involving a suspect who was arrested by the Sainthamaruthu Police on August 14 for allegedly possessing 70 milligrams of heroin.
The suspect was due to be produced before court the following day. Investigators allege that the Acting OIC had demanded Rs. 20,000 in exchange for not submitting a B report against the suspect and instead proceeding with the matter through a formal charge sheet.
The suspect had agreed to pay the money, and arrangements were made for the payment to be handed over today (17), following the conclusion of the court proceedings.
However, as the Acting OIC was away on duty at the time, a police constable allegedly went to collect the money on his instructions.
CIABOC officers arrested the constable while he was allegedly accepting the Rs. 20,000.
The Acting OIC was subsequently arrested based on information uncovered during the investigation.
Both officers, who had recently been assigned to the Sainthamaruthu Police Station, have been taken to the Kalmunai Police Station under CIABOC custody.
Further investigations into the alleged bribery are underway.
