The Kerala government came in for sharp criticism from the High Court for granting promotion to senior IPS officer S Sreejith (IPS:1996:KL) to the rank of DGP without the mandatory vigilance clearance. The court virtually wanted the state government to first decide on the demand for an inquiry into the alleged illegal appointment of two bodybuilders as sub-inspectors in the armed police forces.
The complaint pertaining to the appointment of bodybuilding champions Chitharesh Natesan and Shinu Chovva, who won silver in the World Bodybuilding Championship, as sub-inspectors in the armed police forces is pending before the court.
Justice A. Badharudeen of the High Court took exception to the development while remarking that one of the officers suspected in the alleged illegal appointment was promoted without the mandatory vigilance clearance while the matter was pending before the court.
The court even observed that the promotion could be challenged as per law if it violated any rules or procedures.
The High Court had previously directed the state Home Secretary to approve an inquiry into the complaint filed by petitioner K M Shajahan by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB), but it was informed that the Home Secretary needed more time to comply with the court’s order.
The court has now directed the state govt to consider approving the inquiry by August 10 “to avoid unpleasant remarks.”
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