An Assistant Jailer attached to Salem Central Prison was placed under suspension, just a day after transfer from Madurai, for allegedly speaking against the police to an accused.

The jail official, Rishikesh Vaikund Singh (48), was said to have criticised the police after noticing the accused, Ramachandran (30) of Mettur, who was arrested for a waylaying crime, receiving treatment for a fracture in his leg at Salem Government Hospital, under police protection

Ramachandran was arrested based on a complaint lodged by Poovarasan (28), also of Mettur, that the former had robbed him of ₹ 700 at knifepoint on March 4 while he was on a walk.

The Mettur police had admitted Ramachandran to the hospital stating that he got his leg fractured after falling down while attempting to evade arrest.

The Assistant Jailer, who had gone to the hospital to take custody of the accused following a request by the police, had reportedly asked the accused to confide if the police had broken his leg, purportedly with a promise to secure compensation.

On learning this, the police department took up the issue with the Salem Central Prison authorities. The Superintendent (in charge) G. Vinoth conducted an inquiry and issued an order placing the Assistant Jailer under suspension on Thursday evening.