A senior civil police officer with the Nadakkavu Police station in Kozhikode committed suicide owing to alleged mental trauma caused by disciplinary action against him over a WhatsApp post, The New Indian Express reported. 

Based on a complaint by the administrator of a WhatsApp group called “Our Responsibility Children”, 33-year old AP Shaji was suspended on the directions of the City Police Commissioner PA Valsan pending inquiry. Shaji was alleged to have posted some obscene photographs in the said group with 90 members including cops and judges, states the report. 

During the probe, Shaji had informed his superiors that all he did was try and forward a complaint to higher authorities by a parent about the obscene pictures found in the mobile of the latter’s son. It was sheer accidence Shaji claims to have said, that the snaps got posted in the WhatsApp group.

After preliminary enquiries, a report was submitted by PT Balan, Assistant Commissioner of the Special Branch regarding the same, following which Shaji was placed under suspension. Shaji’s body was reportedly found hanging at his residence on Friday evening, adds the report.