Neelankarai police inspector R. Pushparaj who was suspended on Wednesday for allegedly shooting a teenage suspect was involved in a similar incident a few years ago but walked scot-free following stern warning from seniors.
Reliable sources revealed that Pushparaj had been involved in the firing of his service weapon on a previous occasion a few years ago when he was a sub-inspector at the Marina police station. A burglary suspect was injured in this thigh in that incident. The suspect who allegedly attempted to flee was pinned down by the officer and was later given medical assistance, a source said.
The officer, who joined the police force in 2000, was promoted to the post of inspector and was posted at the Neelankarai police station on January 21, 2013.
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On Tuesday evening, Pushparaj shot a 16-year-old suspect while questioning him in a theft case at the Neelankarai police station. A probe was conducted by the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) on the shooting which city police have termed as accidental and the inspector was suspended following orders from the Commissioner of Police.
M. Indrajith, RDO, Tambaram, who carried out the probe, submitted a report to the Kancheepuram Collector K. Bhaskaran on Thursday morning.
“I have recommended a detailed inquiry to be conducted under Section 153 of Police Standing Order. The report is not voluminous,” said Mr. Indrajith.
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It was up to the Collector to decide on appointing an officer either at the level of an RDO or a senior officer in the rank of a DRO to conduct an elaborate inquiry, he added.