Move to scuttle Paravoor sex scandal probe

KOCHI: The probe into the sensational Paravoor sex scam is stirring up a controversy after there have been reports on infighting within the Crime Branch team over the conduct of the probe and reported attempts by a section of the police officials to derail it.It has been learnt from the police department sources that backdoor preparations are on to transfer Crime Branch Superintendent S Surendran from his current post and hand over the entire probe to another official.The sex case, in which a 14yearold girl hailing from Paravoor was abused by over 100 persons, stole the limelight after the Crime Branch arrested over 40 persons, including prominent businessmen, politicians and government officials."The formalities are on to transfer the Crime Branch SP. Though it is termed as a routine general transfer, the decision to do it has come at a crucial time," the sources said.Already, the Police Headquarters has made certain changes in the probe team by bringing in Temple Theft Investigation Special Team (TTIST) Superintendent Unniraja.The decision to bring in Unniraja into the team which already has two senior officials Surendran and Deputy SP Bijo Alexander has raised certain allegations that the move is an attempt to safeguard the interests of certain persons involved in the case. Adding fuel to the controversy, the Ernakulam Sessions Court had criticised the probe team for not revealing the identity of the police officer who had abused the girl.According to the court, "the case diary reveals that a police officer, along with a doctor of a hospital here, had abused the girl at the latter's flat." The sexual abuse of the 14yearold girl came to light three months ago after her mother lodged a complaint before the police submitting that her husband had forcefully taken the daughter to prostitution.Based on the submissions made by the girl, the police registered a case and launched an investigation.Though the police were able to arrest a few persons, including the girl's father and mother, the government handed over the investigation to the Crime Branch after there were allegations that the police officials were trying to help a few highprofile persons.