An Inspector of Police attached to the Ramanatham police station in Cuddalore district has been suspended for allegedly recovering money from an accused in a theft case and keeping it for herself.

The police said the theft accused Prabhakaran, 39, of Perambalur district, was arrested by the Ramanatham police on September 8 on charges of stealing a 3-sovereign gold chain from a 60-year-old woman. Prabhakaran allegedly robbed the woman of the gold chain after offering her a lift on his motorcycle.

The police perused CCTV footage from the area and arrested him within a few hours. Though Inspector Brindha recovered 3 sovereigns of jewellery and ₹75,000 in cash from the accused, she failed to report the details of the seized cash.

Following a complaint, an inquiry was ordered and the allegations against the Inspector were found to be true. The police said the Inspector also faced charges of conniving with sand smugglers.

Based on the recommendations of Superintendent of Police S. Jeyakumar, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Villupuram Range) E.S. Uma ordered the suspension of the Inspector with immediate effect.