Kerala cop arrested for theft of lost mobile phone handed to police

Authorities in Kerala have registered a case against a police officer accused of misappropriating a lost mobile phone that was turned over to his police station. The device, estimated to be worth around ₹10,000, had been recovered from a road and handed to the station as per standard procedure for lost-and-found items.

The officer is suspected of having stolen the phone from the station's custody and subsequently sold it. The case came to light when the phone's legitimate owner or another party raised concerns about the missing device, prompting an internal inquiry.

The incident highlights gaps in the handling of lost items within police custody and raises questions about accountability measures at the station level. Authorities have launched a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the phone's disappearance and the officer's alleged involvement in its sale.

This case adds to growing concerns about misconduct within police departments across Kerala and underscores the need for stricter protocols governing the management of lost and found articles in police custody.