Kerala Police Officer Suspended for Embezzling Traffic Fines

Kochi, Jul 24 (PTI) A woman police officer from Kerala has been suspended and charged with embezzling over ₹16 lakh from fines collected for motor vehicle violations at the Muvattupuzha traffic station between 2018 and 2022, police reported on Thursday. According to the FIR filed on July 21, the accused, a Senior Civil Police Officer (SCPO), faces charges of forgery, using a forged document as genuine, criminal breach of trust by a public servant, and cheating under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). In addition, she is also charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act. A senior district police officer revealed that Shanti Krishnan, the accused, was serving as an assistant station writer at the Muvattupuzha police station when she allegedly committed the embezzlement. The officer explained that Krishnan manipulated the cash book entries and fine receipts, altering the amounts received and pocketing the difference. "It's the responsibility of the writer to record collected fines in the cash book and subsequently deposit the amounts in the police bank account," stated the officer. However, Krishnan altered the figures to reflect lower amounts, thereby embezzling ₹16,76,650. The forgery and embezzlement came under suspicion during routine internal audits and further investigations confirmed the fraud, the officer disclosed. "She has been suspended and will face a departmental probe and disciplinary action in addition to the criminal case," he added.

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