Why Was a Hyderabad Cop Suspended for Mortgaging Stolen Gold?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Sub-Inspector Bhanu Prakash suspended for mortgaging stolen gold.
- Investigation ongoing regarding his missing revolver.
- Allegations of online gambling addiction impacting his actions.
- Gold was supposed to be returned to the owner after a Lok Adalat settlement.
- Police recovered the gold from a pawnbroker after the SI's confession.
Hyderabad, Nov 26 (NationPress) A Sub-Inspector of Police in Hyderabad has faced suspension due to accusations of mortgaging gold that was recovered during a theft investigation.
Bhanu Prakash, who is stationed at the Amberpet Police Station, is also under scrutiny for his missing revolver. Authorities are interrogating him to locate the weapon amid claims that he may have sold it for financial gain.
Reports suggest that the SI has developed a problematic addiction to online gambling, leading him to mortgage the stolen gold to settle his debts.
Senior officials have been probing the SI’s conduct over the past few days, and the situation escalated on Wednesday.
Originally from Rayachoti in Andhra Pradesh, Bhanu Prakash is a 2020 batch SI residing in Himayatnagar, Hyderabad. He has served as an SI at the Amberpet Police Station for several years, initially working as a sector SI before being transferred to the crime unit.
The illegal act was uncovered when officials noticed that 43 grams of gold, linked to a theft case, had gone missing. The gold had been confiscated from a domestic worker involved in the theft.
Since the case was resolved in the Lok Adalat, the gold was intended to be returned to its rightful owner. However, the absence of the gold prompted the SHO to initiate an internal investigation. During this inquiry, the SI allegedly admitted to pawning the gold.
Police managed to recover the gold from the pawnbroker. The investigation also revealed that the SI's service revolver was unaccounted for, with suspicions that he may have sold it to cover his expenses.
A case has been lodged against the SI, and investigators are continuing to question him in an effort to recover the weapon.
Officials have expressed their disapproval of the SI’s actions. Following his suspension, a departmental inquiry has been launched against him.