Police Constable Suspended for Leaking Video of Juvenile Suspect in Murder Case
A police constable in Tirunelveli has been suspended for allegedly leaking a video conversation between the police and a juvenile suspect involved in a murder case. The video, which was taken for internal purposes only, went viral on social media along with a selfie of the sub-inspector and the suspect.
The incident occurred on Monday afternoon when the 17-year-old juvenile allegedly murdered an 18-year-old SC girl by slitting her throat at a godown of a fancy store near the Nellaiappar temple. The motive behind the murder is believed to be the girl’s rejection of the juvenile’s proposal for a relationship.
Following the crime, the city police alerted the Moolakaraipatty police, who successfully apprehended the juvenile with the help of Inspector Meeral Banu and Sub-Inspector Sakthi Natarajan. During the inquiry, Constable Jebamani reportedly shot two videos, while Natarajan took a selfie with the juvenile and another constable.
Upon investigation, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Parvesh Kumar, confirmed that Constable Jebamani had been suspended. The questioning during the inquiry involved discussions about the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act and the guidelines for the arrest of the juvenile as stated in various court orders. In the leaked video, the police can be seen consoling the suspect and examining his body for self-inflicted wounds.
Interestingly, Sub-Inspector Sakthi Natarajan, who took the controversial selfie, had previously faced legal trouble. Natarajan was transferred from the Ambasamudram division to the Range Vacancy Reserve after being accused of shooting a video of a juvenile victim’s mother, intimidating her to speak favorably about the police. Meeral Banu is the prime accused in the custodial torture case for which the suspended IPS officer Balveer Singh is also being investigated. Natarajan was reportedly reprimanded for his behavior during the inquiry but faced no further consequences.
Overall, this incident throws light on the issue of leaking sensitive information and engaging in inappropriate behavior during police investigations. The suspension of Constable Jebamani serves as a warning to others, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to professional standards and the protection of the privacy of suspects involved in criminal cases. As investigations continue, it is important for the police department to maintain its integrity and ensure that justice is served.
