K C Padhi, the BSF DIG who has been arrested in Srinagar for his alleged involvement in a sex scandal, will not be awarded the prestigious Police Medal for meritorius service till the time investigations into the case are completed.

The BSF Headquarters has also initiated the procedure of suspending Padhi, since according to the service rules any officer who lands up in police custody for 48 hours will have to be penalised.

‘‘So far as the medal is concerned, it will be kept in abeyance till the probe by the CBI is completed. If he is found guilty, then it will not be presented,’’ BSF sources said.

Padhi, who hails from Orissa, was selected for the medal on January 26 while serving as DIG in Srinagar. He was transferred as part of a routine posting to Silchar in Assam about seven months ago.

The BSF is baffled over Padhi’s involvement in the scandal. Sources explained that since joining in 1972 as an assistant commandant, there has not been a single instance of misconduct by him. ‘‘Postings in Srinagar and Silchar are of a sensitive nature and usually not given to officers till the headquarters is convinced about their capabilities,’’ sources pointed out, adding that further action would be initiated on the basis of the CBI report.