Welikada OIC Arrested For Alleged Bribe Attempt in Passport Case

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Welikada Police Station was arrested over serious allegations of bribery linked to the handling of foreign nationals’ passports.

The arrest was carried out this morning by officers of the Central Crimes Investigation Bureau, following a complaint lodged with the Inspector General of Police. 

Authorities stated that the senior police officer was taken into custody in the Veyangoda area as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged misconduct.

According to police, the incident relates to a raid conducted on May 2 in Welikada, where 92 Chinese nationals were apprehended at a hotel for their alleged involvement in online fraud activities. 

During the operation, a group of suspects had reportedly fled, leaving behind 19 passports, which were subsequently taken into police custody.

Investigations have now revealed that the OIC, in collaboration with a female associate, had allegedly attempted to solicit a bribe in exchange for returning those passports to the individuals concerned. 

It is alleged that the officer had demanded a payment of Rs. 300,000 from each individual in order to facilitate the unlawful return of these travel documents.

In the course of the probe, officers from the Central Crimes Investigation Bureau had searched the Welikada Police Station on May 17. However, the passports in question were not recovered at that stage. 

Police later confirmed that the suspect officer had eventually handed over the 19 passports following the investigation.

The arrested OIC is expected to be produced before court tomorrow.