Kerala female cop’s civilian dress operation successfully nabs absconding POCSO accused

Pathanamthitta: A man who had been evading arrest for three years in a POCSO case was nabbed by a policewoman in a civilian dress operation (*Mufti) at the Pathanamthitta market on Tuesday.

Sujith (42), a resident of Thrippunithura in Ernakulam district, was accused of molesting a minor girl while renting accommodation in Pathanamthitta. After missing his trial, the Pathanamthitta fast-track POCSO court issued a warrant for his arrest, with Tuesday marking the final deadline for his appearance.

The breakthrough came when the woman officer, dressed in civilian clothes, flagged down an autorickshaw in the busy market. She entered the vehicle and single-handedly restrained Sujith, who was seated in the back. She then directed the driver to the nearest police station. The dramatic scene initially stunned onlookers, but civil police officers soon arrived to assist.

Upon reaching the police station, it was revealed that the officer was R. Krishnakumari, alias Krishna, a civil police officer. Acting on a tip-off about Sujith’s presence near the market, Krishna executed the arrest with precision.

At the station, Sujith began to verbally abuse the officers. He was taken to the General Hospital for a medical examination, which confirmed that he was intoxicated. Subsequently, Sujith was transferred to Kottarakara jail after being presented before the court.

*Mufti police refers to officers who are not in uniform and are dressed in civilian clothes. This allows them to conduct undercover operations, surveillance, and intelligence gathering without being easily recognised as law enforcement. The term "mufti" is derived from the Arabic word for non-uniform clothing.