KOCHI: DGP Loknath Behera on Friday directed Kochi Range IG Vijay Sakhare to look into the statement made by Ismail, a relative of Usman M K - who was brutalised by rogue cops in the latest instance of police high-handedness at Edathala here, that he had to give illegal gratification to some police personnel.
The detailed probe was ordered after Ismail said he had bribed policemen at Edathala in the past. Ismail, who is an accused in the Kalamassery bus torching case, also told reporters he had to grease the palms of policemen for ensuring his sand and rock business ran without hitch.
“The allegations were made in public and it was flashed on TV channels. When such an allegation is made, it calls for an investigation since it is illegal to accept or offer bribe,” said a source at the DGP’s office.
Meanwhile, Usman, who was arrested allegedly for obstructing policemen from discharging their duty, was remanded in judicial custody even as the arrest of the policemen accused of assaulting Usman is yet to take place. Though the department transferred three officers to Kalamassery AR camp and suspended one of them, they have not been taken into custody so far.