Hyderabad, 26 November : A Sub-Inspector posted at Amberpet Police Station has been suspended after an internal inquiry found that he pawned recovered gold and his service revolver to clear betting-related debts.
Officials identified the officer as Bhanu Prakash, who worked in the Crime Wing. He developed a strong addiction to online betting and lost his salary and savings. He then borrowed money from friends and acquaintances. When the pressure to repay increased, he used property recovered in a theft case to raise funds.
Police recovered five tolas of gold in a theft case registered at the station in late 2023. The gold should have been presented before the court as evidence. Bhanu Prakash avoided this responsibility and did not deposit it. He later pawned the gold to manage his debts.
His problems increased when he pawned his service revolver. During routine checks, senior officers asked him to submit the revolver. He claimed he misplaced it. Officers examined his record and noticed that the recovered property was also not produced. This triggered a detailed inquiry.
Investigators found that the SI had given the revolver to a lender in exchange for money. The lender confirmed the transaction during questioning. The gold was also traced to a local pawn shop.
The department suspended Bhanu Prakash and handed the case over to the Task Force for investigation. A criminal case is now under examination.
Authorities said the incident highlights growing financial risks linked to online betting platforms. Officers urged the public to avoid such platforms and seek support if they face similar issues.