SI in Kochi booked for sexual harassment, extortion

Kochi: A sub inspector attached to Elamakkara police station in Kochi has been booked in two separate cases for alleged sexual harassment, intimidation and an attempted extortion. According to senior officers, the accused, Mujeeb H, was an investigation assistant in a narcotics case in Sept last year. The accused threatened and sexually harassed people claiming that their names were found in the contact list of one of the accused in the case. Police said that Mujeeb is currently absconding after cases were formally registered against him. A senior officer said that a report regarding the same has been submitted to senior officers and disciplinary action, including suspension, is expected soon. "One of the complainants, a woman, was contacted by the officer without the knowledge of the station house officer. The accused tried to pressure her into granting sexual favours by intimidating her," said an officer. Police sources said that when she rejected his demands, he allegedly threatened to implicate her in the narcotics case, leading to the woman approaching the SHO of Elamakkara police station with a complaint. Another FIR was registered against him based on the complaint of a Pathanamthitta native doctor. The doctor has alleged that the officer tried to extort Rs 1.5 lakh from him by threatening to implicate him in the narcotics case. The doctor's statement was recorded on Saturday and an FIR was registered. The accused allegedly met the doctor in person as well and repeatedly contacted him over the phone. He then demanded the amount for not implicating the doctor in the case. Police said that the accused officer has been booked for outraging the modesty of a woman as per the first complaint. He was also booked for extortion and criminal intimidation on the doctor's complaint. Police sources said Mujeeb went on leave before the formal registration of the cases. He went into hiding soon after the FIRs were filed. Efforts are on to trace him, said police.