A head constable serving at the Cyber Crime Police Station (CCPS) in Bengaluru has been suspended following serious allegations of theft from a suspect's vehicle. The officer is accused of stealing a bag containing Rs 11 lakh in cash, a mobile phone, a gold ring, and an Omega wristwatch.
The Seizure and the Alleged Theft
According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered at the Vidhana Soudha police station, the incident traces back to November 13. Head Constable Zabeeulla I Godiyal, along with another police constable, seized an SUV belonging to a suspect involved in a cybercrime case from an apartment in Devanahalli. The vehicle was then parked at the city police commissioner's office premises.
However, Zabeeulla allegedly took a bag from the SUV with him without informing his superiors or making any official record of the item. The bag remained in his possession until the issue came to light.
How the Misconduct Came to Light
The suspect in the cybercrime case secured anticipatory bail and presented himself before the police on December 1. After recording his statement, the police returned the keys to his SUV. It was at this point that the suspect discovered the bag was missing from his vehicle.
The matter was immediately reported to senior officers. Since Zabeeulla was the officer responsible for handling the seized vehicle, he was questioned. Initially, he claimed he had simply forgotten to inform his colleagues about the bag and asserted that all the cash and valuables were intact when he returned it.
Formal Complaint and Suspension
A formal complaint was filed against Zabeeulla by a police inspector at the CCPS. The complaint starkly contradicted his explanation, stating that "Zabeeulla acted illegally by thieving the suspect's bag and keeping it in his house without informing anyone."
Based on the FIR and the internal investigation, the department took swift action. Zabeeulla I Godiyal has been suspended from duty, pending a full inquiry into the allegations of theft and professional misconduct.
This case highlights a severe breach of trust within the police force, especially concerning the handling of evidence and property from seized vehicles. The internal probe will determine the final course of disciplinary action.
