Police officer under probe in Keralam after seized tobacco stolen from station

A police officer in Keralam is under investigation for allegedly stealing seven bags of banned tobacco products that were seized and stored at Sultan Bathery police station, officials revealed on Monday (September 14, 2026). Senior Civil Police Officer Sabith is suspected of absconding with the confiscated goods since the discovery of the theft on September 10, 2026, according to police.

The seven bags of banned tobacco products were initially seized from a person at Dhottappankulam near Sultan Bathery on June 7. A Magistrate Court directed the seizure be kept at the police station, where they were stored in an evidence room. On September 10, officials found the stolen tobacco products in the evidence room, leading to the registration of a theft case and the assignment of a Deputy Superintendent of Police to investigate.

CCTV footage later showed Sabith allegedly entering the evidence room and removing the stolen products. Police visited Sabith's home on Sunday but he was not present, raising suspicions about his whereabouts. The investigation will determine if the products were stolen to aid the original case or to sell on the black market.