CCTV image of policeman standing in front of mango shop | Photo: Mathrubhumi News Screengrab
Kottayam: The mango theft case in Kanjirappally was settled on Thursday with the court allowing the shopkeeper to withdraw the complaint. The Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Kanjirappally, has ordered to stop any further action as per IPC 379, but stated that police can investigate if any other crime was committed in connection with the incident.
The case pertains to PV Shihab, a civil police officer of Idukki Armed Reserve camp, who was booked for stealing mangoes from a shop in Kanjirappally on September 28. The CCTV visuals of the theft had also surfaced on social media.
As the incident sparked a controversy, Shihab was charged with theft and suspended from the service. Following which, he went into hiding and has not been traced till date.
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Meanwhile, the shopkeeper approached the court seeking to withdraw the case. However, the police objected to the move, suggesting that it would send a wrong message to the society. The court overruled that and allowed the settlement of the case.