Malappuram (Kerala) | A police officer facing an inquiry into the disappearance of around eight sovereigns of gold ornaments kept at the Karipur station here has been suspended from service, officials said on Thursday.

Former Station House Officer Abbas Ali was suspended following an order issued recently by the Range Inspector General, officials said.

Ali was already under suspension in connection with another disciplinary case during his tenure at a police station in Palakkad a few years ago.

The missing ornaments, comprising three gold chains, two pairs of earrings, a ring and a bracelet, had been handed over to the police by members of the public after they were found to be misplaced, so they could be returned to their rightful owners.

Following the preliminary inquiry of the missing ornaments, the Deputy Superintendent of Police submitted a report to the District Police Chief, who recommended that the Inspector General take disciplinary action against the officer.

Police sources said the preliminary inquiry found that Ali had taken the ornaments.

They further alleged that after the inquiry began, he approached senior officers expressing his willingness to return them.

Police said further action would be taken after the departmental inquiry into the incident is completed.