An inspector attached to a city police station was placed under suspension for reportedly keeping to himself a major portion of liquor bottles seized a week ago, during the period of mourning of the death of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.

Murali, the inspector from Peelamedu station, led a team to monitor whether all Government-run liquor outlets were closed on December 6 in the area and noticed that one Suresh had kept 1,400 bottles behind a liquor shop for illegal sales, police said.

After seizing all the bottles, Murali arrested Suresh and recorded the seizure of only 192 bottles, keeping the remaining bottles to himself. Suresh was let out on bail the following day, even as Murali did not return the remaining bottles nor show them on record, police said.

Based on a complaint on the issue, City Police Commissioner A Amalraj ordered an inquiry against Murali. Since he did not provide a satisfactory reply, the inspector was placed under suspension pending inquiry.

In a related development, the Commissioner also placed under suspension a Head Constable attached to the Intelligence Section for failing to bring the issue to the notice of higher-ups.