Placed under ‘compulsory wait’

An inspector of police in Salem city was on Saturday transferred and placed under “compulsory wait” after a photograph of him offering a piece of a birthday cake to a history-sheeter surfaced on social media and mobile messaging platforms.

The incident came close on the heels of the birthday bash of another gangster, Binu Pappachan, who came under the spotlight after images of him cutting a birthday cake with a machete went viral.

According to police sources, on February 14, K.R. Suseendran, 33, who had been arraigned in criminal cases, celebrated his birthday and offered a cake to A. Karunakaran, inspector of police, Kannankurichi, at the police quarters located near the station. Mr. Karunakaran, after extending birthday greetings, also offered cake to the history-sheeter.

Sokkalingam, a local DMDK functionary, and a head constable, who introduced Suseendran to Mr. Karunakaran, were present on the occasion.

A photo of the celebration was leaked, leading to the initiation of disciplinary action against the Inspector.

Suseendran, a resident of Kondappanayakkanpatti in the city, was involved in various crimes in the past. His name was included in the city history-sheeters’ list in 2006, and police sources said he had even been detained under the Goondas Act.

Pictured with CM

Incidentally, soon after action was taken against the Inspector, another photograph showing Suseendran in the company of Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami surfaced.

AIADMK spokesperson R.M. Babu Murugavel said, “You cannot expect the CM to know the background of all 7.5 crore people in the State. Such pictures are being circulated by his political opponents.”