Kochi: Palarivattom police booked a police sub-inspector and two others, including a woman, for allegedly extorting ₹4 lakh from another policeman by threatening to reveal to his wife about his visit to a spa in Edappally for a body massage. The accused extorted money from the complainant, claiming he had stolen a golden chain from the spa.

According to the FIR registered by the police, the prime accused is KK Baiju, a grade sub-inspector attached to Palarivattom police station. He allegedly has joined two spa employees, Shiham and Ramya, who are the second and third accused, respectively, to blackmail and extort money from the victim, who is a native of Maradu and a civil police officer (CPO) with the Kochi City Armed Reserve (AR) Camp.

According to the FIR, the complainant visited the Royal Wellness Spa in Edappally around 5.30 pm on August 8 for a body massage. The following morning, around 10 am, Ramya contacted him, claiming that a gold chain she had removed during the massage had gone missing. She demanded that he either return the chain or pay ₹6.5 lakh as compensation.

When the policeman denied the accusation and refused to pay any money, and asked her to file a complaint instead, the pressure escalated.
Shiham then repeatedly phoned the policeman, allegedly threatening to inform his wife and relatives about his spa visit. Police sources said the accused also threatened to release CCTV footage of the visit.

“At this stage, SI Baiju allegedly stepped in as a mediator but instead facilitated the extortion. He said that a case will be registered against him based on Ramya's complaint about the missing chain and his wife and family would know about the entire episode. Under sustained pressure, the policeman transferred around ₹4 lakh to the accused in several instalments. Baiju also benefited from the deal by taking a share from the extorted money,” said police sources.

When the group demanded money again, the victim approached SR Saneesh, Palarivattom inspector, and lodged a formal complaint. An investigation followed, leading to the registration of a case under BNS 308(2) for extortion. and 3(5), which refers to ‘several persons committing a criminal act by in furtherance of a common intention’.

The police are yet to arrest any of the accused persons. However, it is learnt that their arrests will be recorded soon. Disciplinary actions will be initiated against Baiju.
The incident has triggered major embarrassment within the Kochi City police force.

The case has caused concern among senior officials, as the involvement of a serving SI in an extortion racket targeting a fellow policeman has raised serious questions about internal discipline and misuse of authority.