Home / Crime and Justice / Police Trio Suspended for Tobacco Bribery Scheme
Police Trio Suspended for Tobacco Bribery Scheme
21 Aug
Summary
- Three police officers suspended for allegedly taking bribes.
- Tobacco smugglers were released without a case being registered.
- The incident occurred during a vehicle check in Thanjavur.

Three police officers in Thanjavur, including Inspector Shanmugam, Head Constable Gauthaman, and Constable Alagarsamy, were suspended on Thursday following an investigation into alleged corruption. The officers were reportedly conducting vehicle checks on August 10 when they intercepted Arumugam and Murugan, who were transporting approximately 83kg of tobacco products.
Sources indicate that Inspector Shanmugam allegedly accepted money from the smugglers and released them without filing a case. His colleagues, Gauthaman and Alagarsamy, are said to have supported this action. Thanjavur Superintendent of Police E. Sundaravadhanam initiated an inquiry after learning of the incident.
Following the investigation, which confirmed the officers' involvement in releasing the traders after accepting a bribe, the tobacco products were recovered. A case was registered on August 11. Inspector Shanmugam had previously been transferred to the waiting list on August 13 due to multiple complaints regarding his administrative conduct.
On the recommendation of SP Sundaravadhanam, Thanjavur Range DIG Ziaul Haq ordered the suspension of the three officers on Thursday, marking a decisive action against alleged corruption within the police force.