KOCHI: Police have registered a case against a woman police officer for swindling Rs 16.76 lakh collected as fine for traffic offences between 2018 and 2022 from Muvattupuzha. The case was registered against Senior Civil Police Officer Shanthi Krishnan who worked with Muvattupuzha Traffic Enforcement Unit within Ernakulam rural police limits.
According to police, a recent audit revealed discrepancies between the amount collected and the money recorded in receipt books for traffic challans issued between 2018 and 2022.
“She manipulated the cash books, recording less than the actual amount collected after issuing challans to violators. Also, fake bank receipts were used to divert the money.
Altogether, Rs 16.78 lakh was under-reported over this period. During 2018-2022, she served as Writer at the unit and was responsible for handling challans. After 2022 she was transferred from Muvattupuzha Traffic Enforcement Unit. She is currently serving at Vazhakulam police station,” an officer said.
After these manipulations were discovered in the recent audit, the Ernakulam Rural Police Chief initiated an internal probe. Following the probe, a case was registered against Shanthi Krishnan, and she was suspended from service, officers confirmed.
Police are also probing the involvement of any other cops in the graft. Police officers said that corruption took place before digital system was introduced for issuing challans.
“Earlier, challans were issued manually. After paying the fine amount, a receipt was issued to offenders. The amount was later deposited in the bank on a daily basis. Currently the entire system has been digitised ending such malpractices,” he said.
The case was registered under various sections of the IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act. “We plan to transfer the probe to the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) for a detailed investigation. The initial report has already been submitted to VACB,” he said.