Cops steal 19 impounded bikes from police station

CHENNAI: The special branch- crime investigation department (SB-CID) has initiated an inquiry against a sub-inpector and a constable who had sold 16 impounded two- wheelers from Adyar police station to a scrap dealer in Indira Nagar.
The SB-CID team has identified the scrap dealer Adilakshmi Waste Paper Mart' in Indira Nagar to whom the vehicles were sold.
According to sources, the sub-inspector Joshua and the head constable Perumal, who were transferred from the station earlier this year, had taken away 19 two-wheelers which were impounded in various cases. According to the station records, the incident took place on December 18, 2008. A constable who saw them moving the vehicles out of the station informed the seniors. The deputy commissioner of police called up the two police personnel and warned them of strong action if they did not return the bikes.
"However, the duo, who had already received transfer orders to other police stations, brought back only three bikes and left the station. Nobody bothered to take an exact count of the. The sub-inspector involved in this case, has many such allegations against him," a police official said.
Recently, an SB-CID team resumed investigation into the incident and found that the bikes were missing. "We have also identified the scrap dealer to who the duo sold these vehicles," an SB-CID official said. Now they have prepared a note against these police personnel and it would be sent to the city commissioner of police for follow-up action.
"Usually, impounded vehicles are kept at the station till the disposal of the case. The department either auctions these vehicles or returns them to their owners on the basis of the court verdict. However, these cases take several years and by the time the vehicles would be good for nothing. However, selling them is a criminal offence," the official added.
praveen.kumar8@timesgroup.com