The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has issued a stern directive to the Kerala government in connection with a petition filed by Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Gupta (IPS:1993:KL), who alleged that the state is deliberately blocking his No Objection Certificate (NOC) for central deputation.
During the hearing on Monday, the CAT Kochi Bench ordered the state government to submit all documents related to the vigilance inquiry pending against Gupta. This includes correspondence from the Centre seeking vigilance clearance, reports prepared by the State Police Chief and Vigilance Chief, and files related to the preliminary investigation currently handled by the Chief Secretary’s office.
The tribunal expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s failure to file a timely response. After repeated reminders, a vague reply was eventually submitted, stating that a preliminary probe is underway into Gupta’s tenure as Vigilance Commissioner. According to the submission, Gupta allegedly sanctioned investigations against certain officials without proper sanction, possibly violating provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The reply added that vigilance clearance cannot be issued until the inquiry is complete but did not disclose the specifics of the complaints or the complainants.
The matter has its roots in April and May this year, when the Union Home Ministry requested Gupta’s vigilance clearance for consideration as Director General in central investigative agencies. According to reports, the Centre made at least nine reminders through letters and emails seeking his clearance. Despite this, the state did not respond, even as it promptly forwarded Gupta’s vigilance profile to the UPSC for consideration as Kerala’s State Police Chief during the same period — a contrast Gupta’s counsel terms “discriminatory.”
The case also highlights Gupta’s strained ties with the Pinarayi Vijayan government. Once seen as a trusted officer, his relationship with the administration broke down after, as Vigilance Chief, he submitted case files against KM Abraham, the Chief Minister’s close aide and then Principal Secretary, directly to the Kerala High Court. This move triggered a CBI probe into Abraham, though the Supreme Court later stayed the proceedings. Following this episode, Gupta was removed from the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau and relegated to less influential posts, including his current role heading Fire and Rescue Services.
In his petition filed on August 28, Gupta accused the state of deliberately obstructing his central deputation and sought disciplinary action against those responsible. The CAT is expected to resume hearings later this month.
Also Read: IPS officer Yogesh Gupta drags Kerala govt to CAT over vigilance clearance delay
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