The Kerala High Court has dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of Santhy Krishnan, a woman civil police officer (CPO) who was serving as writer at the Muvattupuzha traffic enforcement unit and was charged with irregularities to the tune of ₹20.90 lakh from 2009 to 2021.
She had then been entrusted with depositing the fine collected by the Muvattupuzha traffic police enforcement unit. According to the first information report registered by the Muvattupuzha police, she tampered with government documents, including treasury receipts, and bank receipts to embezzle government funds. She allegedly deposited less than the actual fine collected for the day and covered up her tracks by tampering with the treasury receipts and bank receipts.
The internal audit team of the Ernakulam Rural police found discrepancies, and on closer examination, noticed the use of whitener and a different ink in the allegedly tampered documents. She was booked under IPC Sections 465 (forgery), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record), 409 (criminal breach of trust by a government servant), and 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property). She was also charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Objecting the grant of anticipatory bail, the prosecution contended that it would hamper the probe into the crime and defeat meaningful prosecution.
A Bench of Justice A. Badharudeen said that a perusal of the case diary and bank statement would show that the allegations against her were well established prima facie. It is not a fit case to grant anticipatory bail, the court said and dismissed her plea while also directing her to surrender before the investigating officer.
Published – August 26, 2025 01:20 am IST
