Solar scam: Policemen in the dock for leaking information

Two policemen of the Thalassery police, who allegedly leaked solar scam accused Sarita Nair’s call records to the media, are now under the scrutiny of the department.

The two civil police officers had allegedly leaked to a television channel the details of Sarita’s call records obtained during the investigation.

The leaked records had first brought to light that around 70 calls had been made from Sarita’s phone to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s aide Tenny Joppan.

An officer of the Thalassery police said the two policemen were to be transferred for leaking the information to the media. Senior officials of the Thalassery police did not confirm whether action would be taken against the policemen. Thalassery Circle Inspector V.K. Vishwambharan said they had not received any order to transfer the two policemen. “Both policemen are still serving at the Thalassery station,” he said.

The leaked call details, however, throw up questions regarding the privacy of information available with the police.

Police officials routinely collect various details about people being investigated. While it is illegal for police officers to use such information for non-official purposes, the Sarita case shows that policemen use material that is part of the investigation for other ends. “Any information collected by the police has to be kept confidential,” said N. Shanker Reddy, Additional Director-General of Police, North Zone.