The Union Government rejected Kerala’s request to sanction more Director General of Police (DGP) posts. As of now, the state has four posts of the DGP rank, and it wanted the centre nod for two more.
The state demanded that the Prison Head be promoted to the rank of DGP. In response, the Centre cited that Punjab also has only four DGPs, despite having 172 IPS officers like Kerala. As a result, the State Government has backtracked on its plan to create six DGP posts, including ex-cadre posts.
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Excise Commissioner S Anandakrishnan (IPS:1989:KL) will be elevated as DGP when Jail DGP Sudesh Kumar (IPS:1987:KL) retires on October 31. The proposal is to elevate him without transferring him.
Currently, in Kerala, the Police Head and Vigilance Head hold DGP ranks. The Jail and Fire Force wings too have DGPs – but they don’t belong to the Indian Police Service cadre.
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As a result of the Supreme Court order, the state requested an increase in the number of DGP posts. According to this order, once someone is appointed the State Police Head, he cannot be removed from the post for next two years.
Anil Kant (IPS:1988:KL), who was to retire in January 2022, was appointed as the State Police Chief and can continue in this role until June 2023. It has led to the delay in promoting Senior Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) S Anandakrishnan, who became eligible to be promoted 10 months ago. His retirement will take place in May.
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After Anandakrishnan, K Padmakumar (IPS:1989:KL), who currently oversees police headquarters, is eligible for appointment as DGP.
