In a key bureaucratic reshuffle, the Kerala government on Monday (July 28, 2025) appointed senior IPS officer M R Ajith Kumar (IPS:1995:KL) as the new Excise Commissioner of Kerala, replacing Mahipal Yadav (IPS:1997:KL), who is currently on extended medical leave.
Ajith Kumar, who was serving as Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Armed Police Battalions, has been transferred to the newly created ex-cadre post of Excise Commissioner with immediate effect, as per the official notification from the state’s Department of Home Affairs.
Previously in Contention for State Police Chief Post
The 1995-batch IPS officer was previously considered among the top contenders for the Kerala Director General of Police (DGP) post earlier this year. His name was forwarded by the state government along with five other IPS officers. However, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) selected candidates based solely on its eligibility benchmarks, eventually leading to the appointment of Ravada A Chandrasekhar as the new state police chief.
Controversial Track Record and Recent Scrutiny
Ajith Kumar’s career has been marked by both commendable service and controversial incidents. Most recently, he faced flak for allegedly violating a Kerala High Court order by using a Kerala Police tractor on the Sabarimala Swami Ayyappan Road during the annual pilgrimage on July 12.
Further, in October 2024, he was removed from the Law and Order portfolio based on a confidential report submitted by the then DGP Sheikh Darvesh Saheb. The report cited multiple lapses, including a controversial meeting with senior RSS leaders and alleged mishandling of the investigation into the murder of Ridan, who was suspected to have links to a gold smuggling racket operating through Karipur International Airport.
Assigning Ajith Kumar—despite his controversial image—signals the government’s continued trust in his administrative abilities. He remains in service until 2028 and is still considered a strong candidate for future elevation to DGP rank, should vacancies arise.
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