Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday announced a probe into the allegations made by ruling party MLA P.V. Anwar against top police officers in the state.
Without mentioning Anvar’s allegations against ADGP (Law and Order) M.R. Ajith Kumar and Pathanamthitta district police chief Sujith Das, the Chief Minister stated that certain issues concerning the police have arisen and will be addressed with utmost seriousness. Any breach of discipline within the police force will not be tolerated.
Speaking at the inaugural function of the Kerala Police Association state conference in Kottayam, the Chief Minister stated that a top-ranking official would conduct the investigation. The Chief Minister affirmed that the government has consistently examined issues based on their merit, irrespective of their origin.
The ADGP is likely to be relieved of responsibilities for law and order during the probe. It was quite unexpected for the Chief Minister to announce an investigation into allegations of such a serious nature. At the venue of a public function.
Before the function, DGP Shaikh Darvesh Sahib and M R Ajith Kumar had a brief meeting with the chief minister at the guest house.
The Chief Minister made the probe announcement in response to the allegations raised by Anwar, which have shaken Kerala’s political landscape. The legislator has accused ADGP Ajith Kumar of involvement in criminal activities and murders related to gold smuggling.
The CPM supported MLA has accused Ajith Kumar of utilizing the cyber cell to illegally intercept and tap the phones of ministers, prominent politicians and journalists. An officer of the rank of IPS has been specifically assigned to investigate the matter.
Later, ADGP Ajith Kumar told the media that he had written to the Chief Minister and the DGP, requesting an investigation into the allegations against him. “I have sought a probe by government agencies into the allegations against me. I have written a letter to the Chief Minister and the DGP regarding this matter,” he stated.
Anwar levelled serious allegations against the former Malappuram SP Sujith Das, accusing him of being the kingpin of gold smuggling through Karipur airport. A DIG-level officer, who conducted a preliminary investigation into the charges, has reportedly submitted a report to the DGP concerning the veracity of the allegations made by the MLA.
Anwar made public his conversation with Sujith Das over the phone, in which the officer is heard pleading with the MLA to withdraw a case registered in connection with illegal tree felling at the SP camp office during his tenure in the Malappuram district.
Sujith Das was heard informing the MLA that as a young officer, he is likely to ascend to the rank of DGP and would remain indebted to Anvar for life. He promised to reciprocate in every way if the legislator agreed to withdraw the case.
Anvar has also targeted the Chief Minister’s political secretary, P Sasi, accusing him of shielding officers who are indulging in illegal activities.
Opposition demands CBI probe
Meanwhile, Opposition leader V D Satheesan has called for a CBI investigation into the accusations against Ajith Kumar. He said the Chief Minister should step down in the wake of the serious charges linked to his political secretary and his office.
“The Chief Minister’s office has become a haven for criminals. A caucus operates there. The people of Kerala would be appalled to learn of the heinous crimes committed under the auspices of this office,” stated Satheeshan.
Opposition leader Anvar, being a close associate of the Chief Minister, implies that such allegations could not have surfaced without Pinarayi Vijayan’s awareness. In response, the Congress organized protests at district centers throughout the state, calling for the Chief Minister’s resignation following the grave accusations made by the MLA.
BJP State President K Surendran has stated that if a ruling party MLA accuses the Chief Minister’s political secretary and the ADGP of law and order of involvement in criminal activities, such as gold smuggling and murders, then the Chief Minister and his government lack the moral authority to remain in office. “Should the MLA’s allegations prove to be false, he ought to be arrested and imprisoned without delay,” he further asserted.
Pathanamthitta district police chief police chief faces suspension
The Home Department has reportedly placed Pathanamthitta District Police Chief Sujith Das S under suspension from service due to the serious allegations made against him by Nilambur MLA P. V. Anvar.
The department has placed the officer under suspension for violating service rules, and an official order to this effect will be issued subsequently.
On Saturday, the MLA leaked a voice clip of his phone conversation with the SP, which had been recorded earlier. The conversation exposed Sujith’s attempt to persuade the MLA to retract his complaint regarding illegal tree felling at the Malappuram SP office compound.
The officer was recorded asking the legislator to send an email to withdraw the complaint related to the illegal tree A DIG-level officer, assigned by the home department to investigate the SP’s behavior, reportedly stated that the conversation had brought disrepute to the entire police force.
In this conversation, Sujith Das accused the ADGP of protecting criminals and engaging in criminal activities himself. Meanwhile, the legislator accused the ADGP of accepting bribes amounting to crores of rupees from businessmen. At the press conference, Anvar claimed that Ajith Kumar was constructing a luxurious house in a prime area near Kawdiar Palace in Thiruvananthapuram.