Cop in purdah who entered labour ward surrenders

Thodupuzha: A civil police officer who entered the gynaecology ward of a private hospital wearing a purdah surrendered at the Kulamavu police station, where he was posted. Noor Sameer, 47, from Kummamkallu, had gone into hiding after the visit on Friday at 8 pm.

The district police chief had placed Noor under suspension after the police filed a case against him on charges of impersonation. Noor surrendered at the station on Wednesday afternoon, but the police said his partner in the crime, Bilal of Kummamkallu, remains untraced. An autorickshaw used by the accused was seized by police earlier. 

Noor will be produced in court on Thursday. The key witness in the case, Sakeer, 38, of Idavetti Kochukonikkal, has been admitted to the district hospital with injuries. He has accused the police of thrashing him.

Deputy superintendent of police, Thodupuzha, KP Jose denied the charge. He said it was Sakeer who stopped Noor at the hospital, removed his veil and showed his face to the security guard. “He attempted to change his statement at the police station yesterday,” Jose said. “He said was told he will face a case if he supports the accused now. His statement was recorded, but he wasn't assaulted,” the officer said.