CHENNAI: A photo of a traffic police sub-inspector playing cards in uniform, with an empty liquor bottle and cigarette packet by his side, went viral in Whatsapp and other social networking sites on Tuesday. The accompanying caption sarcastically read, “Sub-inspector M Jayavel of Chromepet traffic police on night vehicle checking duty.”
While the photo has prompted senior police officials to initiate an internal inquiry, the SI told Express that he had indeed played cards, but only after duty hours on Sunday night.
“My duty ended at 12 o’clock (midnight). There were a few issues in my family due to which I have to delay going back home. So I was spending a little time at the station, when I played cards,” he said.
The photo is believed to have been taken and circulated by another SI attached to the Chrompet Traffic Enforcement Wing. The image of the other policemen, apparently playing cards with Jayavel, has been trimmed in the photo.
When asked if he was boozing at the station, Jayavel said, “he was trapped into the situation” by another SI who had a grudge against him. When queried about the photo, a senior police official said they were inquiring if the photo was genuine or morphed.
