Two serving police officers in Kozhikode have been named as accused in the high-profile sex trafficking racket busted last week at Malaparamba. Senior Civil Police Officer (CPO) Shaijith and CPO Sanith, both drivers in the city police control room, are accused of having financial links with the brothel’s main operator, Bindu.

Following the revelation, both officers have been suspended by the City Police Commissioner. They now stand as the 10th and 11th accused in the case. A third new accused, MK Animesh from Vattoli, currently working in Bahrain and a known associate of Bindu, has also been named. This brings the total number of accused to 12.

According to an inquiry led by Nadakkavu Inspector N Prajeesh, one of the police officials allegedly helped bring women to the brothel and even acted as a receptionist for clients. Despite being under surveillance for six months and earlier warnings, their links with the racket continued.

Notably, one of the tainted officers was briefly assigned to the Chief Minister’s security convoy during his recent Nilambur by-election visit. He was replaced just 25 minutes before departure after officials were alerted.

The brothel, operating out of an apartment near a private hospital, was masked as a spa and had been under watch for almost a year. Nine people, including Bindu, Abhirami from Idukki, and Upesh from Feroke, were arrested during the raid.