Probe into Vadakara MDMA case in Kerala gathers pace as digital evidence yields fresh leads
The investigation into the alleged MDMA trafficking case involving three schoolteachers from Vadakara in Kerala has gathered pace, with the police re-analysing a set of
The investigation into the alleged MDMA trafficking case involving three schoolteachers from Vadakara in Kerala has gathered pace, with the police re-analysing a set of crucial digital evidence, financial transactions and the possible involvement of students in the alleged narcotics network. According to a senior police officer attached to the Special Investigation Team (SIT), examination of the mobile phone of Keerthana, one of the arrested accused, has yielded crucial leads. Investigators have recovered chats, photographs and other digital material that are believed to be linked to the alleged procurement and distribution of MDMA, he said, adding that the device also contained conversations with persons facing prosecution under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The police are examining whether some of the rural students were knowingly or unknowingly exploited to facilitate the alleged drug trade. Investigators are looking into the possibility that students may have been used for the transportation of narcotic substances or that their bank accounts were misused to divert payments. The investigating team is expected to move the court seeking the custody of the other two arrested teachers, Kavya and Nishma, to proceed with further interrogation. At the same time, the custodial interrogation of Keerthana, who was released in police custody on August 6 will be completed by Friday evening.
The three teachers are likely to be quizzed together in the next phase of the probe. Five persons, including three women teachers and two men, have so far been arrested in connection with the case. Now, the police are searching for a 22-year-old native Wayanad native, who is suspected to be the mastermind behind the smuggling case. Investigators claim to have unearthed evidence indicating the financial transactions and frequent communications between the arrested accused and the Wayanad-based suspect. Meanwhile, Youth Congress State general secretary V.P. Dulkhifil has approached the District Police Chief (Kozhikode rural) with a petition to probe the alleged role of a former Samagra Shiksha Kerala official in clearing the temporary appointments of the three teachers involved in the drug trafficking case without proper screening.
He alleged that the appointments were not transparent and made violating the service rules.
The BriefWire