A flash inspection of police highway patrol vehicles and control room vehicles conducted by the central range of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) across Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad districts detected unaccounted money to the tune of ₹4,850 and potential dereliction of duty by nine officials in three vehicles.

The drive named ‘Midnight Operation’ was launched on Thursday midnight and lasted till Friday around 6 a.m. Twenty-five vehicles, 13 highway patrol vehicles and 12 control room vehicles, across the three districts, were examined in the drive. A 60-member team carried out the drive, which was led S. Sasidharan, Superintendent of Police, VACB Ernakulam unit. As many as five DySPs and 12 inspectors drawn from across three districts were part of the team.

In Manarkkad, ₹2,850 in unaccounted cash was reportedly found in the bag of a highway patrol vehicle driver. In Perumbavoor, ₹2,000 was allegedly discovered under the seat of a control room vehicle. In Muvattupuzha, a highway patrol vehicle was reportedly missing from its assigned location and was later found with an official in an allegedly inebriated state. He was handed over to the police for further action.

Three sub inspectors, one assistant sub inspector, two grade civil police officers, and three officers posted on driver duty across two highway patrol vehicles and a control room vehicle face potential action. “Action would be taken against these officials if so warranted following further verification,” said sources.