N S Roy, former SI of Karimannur police station, was included in the promotion list issued by the police headquarters on Aug 24. Idukki : A suspended sub-inspector, found to have consumed alcohol while on duty, has been promoted to the rank of inspector by the Kerala Police even as disciplinary proceedings against him are underway. His name appeared at 43rd position among SIs found eligible for promotion. He has been posted to the Malappuram district narcotics cell.
The incident occurred in the early hours of July 20 at Mangattukavala in Thodupuzha, where the FIFA World Cup final was being screened.
Idukki district police chief Dr A Naseem said the promotion list had been prepared before Roy’s suspension and his opinion had not been sought later. He said steps would be taken to cancel Roy’s promotion. Roy was suspended after a liquor bottle, playing cards and banned tobacco products were allegedly found in a police jeep. Roy and civil police officer Jijo Antony had reportedly reached the venue after the match and asked organisers to stop the programme. People at the spot allegedly suspected that the two were under the influence of alcohol. Thodupuzha circle inspector Sijo Varghese subsequently inspected the police vehicle and recovered a liquor bottle, along with tobacco products and playing cards.