A police recruit undergoing training in Kerala has been arrested for allegedly cheating fellow trainees of more than ₹7 lakh by collecting money meant for the purchase and stitching of police uniforms, officials said.

The accused, identified as Sambhu R Krishnan, was a trainee with the Special Armed Police (SAP). He was arrested late Monday night after allegations surfaced that he had collected a substantial amount from fellow trainees but failed to deposit the money for its intended purpose.

According to the case registered by police, Krishnan allegedly collected a total of ₹7,18,320 from several trainees while serving as a member of the uniform committee. The money was reportedly intended to be deposited with the police dry canteen for purchasing uniform materials and with a society responsible for stitching the uniforms.

Instead, investigators allege that the trainee used the money for an online betting game in an attempt to make profits.

Money Collected for Uniforms

The alleged transactions took place between July 3 and July 13, according to the complaint. During this period, Krishnan was entrusted with collecting contributions from fellow trainees for uniform-related expenses.

As a member of the uniform committee, he allegedly had access to money collected from several trainees. The amount was supposed to be transferred to the designated accounts associated with the purchase of uniform materials and stitching services.

However, the money was allegedly not deposited as required. Police suspect that the accused diverted the funds towards online betting instead.

The incident came to light after fellow trainees raised concerns about the missing payments and brought the matter to the attention of their senior officers.

Senior Officer Lodges Complaint

Following the allegations, a senior commanding officer of the Special Armed Police approached the Peroorkada police and filed a complaint.

The police subsequently registered a case against the trainee under Section 318 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with cheating.

The accused was taken into custody late Monday, and police have begun investigating the circumstances surrounding the collection and alleged diversion of the money.

The investigation is expected to establish how the funds were collected, where they were transferred or spent, and whether the entire amount was used for online betting as alleged.

Online Betting Allegation Under Investigation

Police said the money was allegedly used in an online betting game with the intention of generating profits. The allegation adds another dimension to the case, as the funds were reportedly collected for an official trainee-related requirement rather than for personal use.

Investigators are likely to examine financial transactions and other available evidence to determine the movement of the money. The police will also look into the accounts or platforms allegedly used for the betting activity.

The exact outcome of the alleged betting transactions, including whether any profit was generated, remains part of the investigation.

Case Raises Questions Over Misuse of Entrusted Funds

The case has drawn attention because the accused was himself undergoing police training and had allegedly been entrusted with handling money collected from fellow trainees.

The alleged fraud involved funds that were meant for a common requirement—obtaining and stitching uniforms for trainees. The fact that the money was reportedly collected over several days and involved multiple trainees has prompted the police to examine the complete sequence of events.

Officials are also expected to record statements from the trainees who contributed money and other individuals connected with the uniform procurement process.

At present, the allegations against Krishnan remain subject to investigation. His arrest and the registration of a cheating case do not by themselves establish guilt, which will ultimately depend on the evidence gathered during the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.

The police are continuing their probe into the alleged financial transactions and the circumstances that led to the complaint.