Police officer under probe in Keralam after seized tobacco stolen from station
A police officer in Kerala, India, is under investigation for allegedly stealing seized tobacco products from a station evidence room. The officer has gone missing, and authorities are working to determine if the theft was intended to aid suspects or for black-market profit.
Why it matters
This incident raises concerns regarding the integrity of evidence management and police accountability within the local law enforcement system.
A police officer is under investigation after seven bags of banned tobacco products seized in a case were stolen from Sultan Bathery police station, officials said on Monday (September 14, 2026).
“The investigation is against Senior Civil Police Officer Sabith, who is suspected of stealing the seized products from the station and has been untraceable since the incident came to light,” officials said.
According to police, seven bags of banned tobacco products were seized from a person at Dhottappankulam near Sultan Bathery on June 7.
The seized goods were produced before a Magistrate Court, which directed that they be kept at the police station.
“They were subsequently stored in a room used for keeping case evidence,” officials said.
On September 10, officials inspected the room and found that the seized tobacco products had been stolen.
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