Kannur: A newly inducted sub-inspector facing a Vigilance inquiry for allegedly accepting a refrigerator from a laterite quarry owner has been transferred from Kannavam police station to Chokli, said Kannur City Police Commissioner P Nidhinraj.
The officer, Shafath Mubarak, a native of Malappuram, was recently posted at Kannavam after completing his probation at Thalassery police station.

In the first week of November, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Babu Peringeth inspected Mubarak’s official quarters and found a refrigerator worth ₹8,500 installed in his kitchen. “He could neither produce the bill nor say the price of the fridge,” the DySP said.

Using the serial number, the DySP traced the purchase to a consumer goods shop in Thalassery. The appliance had been bought in the name of the wife of a laterite stone quarry owner, Peringeth said.

According to VACB, the officer compounded the case against him shortly after the inspection. “I left his quarters at 4.32 pm. At 4.36 pm, he transferred the amount via UPI to the quarry owner,” Peringeth said, describing it as clinching evidence of a financial transaction between the two.

Kannavam is a forested area that sees frequent movement of laterite stone-laden trucks. The DySP said the quarry owner involved did not possess a valid permit to transport laterite stones.

Peringeth has submitted a report to the VACB Director recommending departmental action against the sub-inspector. “It is unfortunate that a young officer, fresh into service, resorted to corruption,” he said.

Commissioner Nidhinraj clarified that the transfer was not based on the Vigilance report, which is yet to reach his office. He said the decision to move the officer was taken when the matter first came to light, but could not be implemented immediately due to the freeze on transfers imposed during the local body elections.

“He was transferred as soon as the restrictions were lifted,” the Commissioner said. “The transfer is not a disciplinary action. The departmental proceedings are underway, and further action will be taken based on the inquiry report,” he said.