Senior IPS officer MR Ajith Kumar (IPS:1995:Kerala) has been placed under suspension by the Kerala government pending disciplinary proceedings over allegations that he interfered in the investigation into the assault on Youth Congress workers during the Nava Kerala Sadas programme in Alappuzha in December 2023.
The suspension has, for the time being, stalled his promotion to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP).
The government acted after examining the report of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Crime Branch SP AP Shoukathali. The SIT was constituted by the United Democratic Front (UDF) government after it assumed office to reinvestigate the case.
The suspension order says State Police Chief Ravada A Chandrasekhar reported that the SIT found “undue influence” from the office of Ajith Kumar, who was then Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order).
According to the report, the interference changed the course of the investigation. It finally resulted in the filing of a refer report, allowing the accused to escape legal action.
The SIT questioned former investigating officers, including Inspector KP Tomson and Deputy Superintendents of Police Arun KS and Sunilraj. They allegedly told the SIT that they came under pressure during the investigation.
Tomson said Ajith Kumar examined the case diary. He questioned the findings. He was unhappy with the conclusion that members of the then Chief Minister’s security team were involved.
The other officers also alleged similar interference.
The SIT further alleged that Grade Sub-Inspector Gireesh and Sub-Inspector Sreekanth, attached to the office of the then ADGP (Law and Order), played multiple roles during the investigation that ended with the filing of the refer report.
Before recommending action, the State Police Chief sought Ajith Kumar’s explanation. A copy of the SIT report was also given to him.
In his interim reply, Ajith Kumar denied any wrongdoing. He denied interfering in the investigation. He questioned the SIT’s findings and said it had gone beyond its mandate.
He also sought copies of relevant documents, including the January 5, 2024 report submitted by the then Alappuzha District Police Chief. He requested permission to cross-check the witness statements before filing a detailed reply.
The State Police Chief, however, told the government that the explanation was not satisfactory. He also said there was no need to allow cross-verification of witness statements at this stage. Calling the allegations serious, he recommended action against the IPS officer.
After examining the SIT report, the State Police Chief’s recommendations and Ajith Kumar’s reply, the government said the allegations were supported by statements of several officers connected with the investigation.
It also said his continuance in service could affect the fairness of the disciplinary proceedings. He was, therefore, placed under suspension pending inquiry.
The case relates to the alleged manhandling of Youth Congress workers by members of the security team of the then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during the Nava Kerala Sadas outreach programme in Alappuzha on December 15, 2023.
Earlier, five police personnel, including two members of the former Chief Minister’s security team, were suspended on the basis of the SIT’s preliminary findings.
The suspension came a day after the Chief Minister rejected allegations that the government delayed action on the inquiry report to help Ajith Kumar’s promotion. He said there was no delay in processing the report and no attempt to shield the officer.
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