One day after the episode, the CPM-sponsored IAS turned independent PV Anwar levelled serious charges against Mr Ajith Kumar, the ADGP ( Law & Order) describing him as quote “an infamous criminal” who was associated with a gold smuggling ring- After Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan ordered a high level inquiry into the allegation of probe into the allegation, it includes the allegation of blame as part of his message. The chief minister made these remarks in public at the Police Association at the Kottayam District but these clearly show that although he had publicly announced investigation into the same, neither was Ajith Kumar suspended nor was he placed on compulsory leave pending investigations.
Even as Anwar on Monday moved a step forward on more allegations on Ajith Kumar, almost no one within the LDF government or the CPM took any steps to investigate Sasi, CPM political secretary and member of CPM state committee about the alleged conection of police and its involvement in crimes. On the very recent Sunday, Anwar also branded him as once again a ‘loser.’ However, this was the responsibility of policemen who flair up and therefore chief ministers being in charge of internal security cum chief minister also do not face much embarrassment.
Subsequently in the evening, the chief minister’s office released a statement declaring that a police team headed by the state’s highest police officer will be constituted to probe into the allegations even though the position of that officer would not be altered. The actors include Sheikh Darvesh Sahib (SPC), G Sparjan Kumar (IGP South Zone CP Trivandrum city), Thomson Jose (DIG Thrissur range), S Madhusoodanan (SP Trivandrum City Crime Branch) and A Shanavas (SP SSB Intelligence Thiruvananthapuram).
‘The conduct of certain officers does shame to the whole force. Some of them have been particularly hot-headed, at times even offensive – and that’s of cause quite embarrassing for all those of us who are trying to promote the image of the certain institution that such people are the members of.’
The respective body shall inquire into the complaints and allegations raised. According to the statement, the chief executive has ordered to finish the inquiry and submit its findings to the administration in a month.
These accusations against the business member turned politician and MLA, Nilampur have placed LDF government on the back foot as the opposition Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party have been screaming for the resignation of the Chief Minister. Opposition leader VD Satheesan said that the chief Minister’s office has become a haven for criminals. “Chief Minister has no business to occupy the office for any minute. Our demand is that the Chief Minister surrenders and the matter is forwarded to the CBI for prosecution.”
Notably, it was a pleasant sight to see Das and State police chief Sheikh Darwish Saheb on the stage when CM Kumar made the announcement regarding the probe and received great claps from the audience.
The Chief Minister highlighted the need for all the delegates as well as the delegates of the importance of law and order and stated that the administration would punish all those police officers who bring ignominy to the force. However, there remains a small faction of officers who resist the changes that are occurring in the department and engage in behaviors that are ikke for its good construct. “This does service to the entire department… of the police. Within eight years of this undertaking, 108 such officers have been expelled from the service,” he said.
ADGP also spoke at the event, however he did not refer to the charges levelled on him. Earlier in the day, the minister held talks with the Attorney General in the Government Guesthouse in Natakom in the presence of the ministers VN Vasavan and V Abdurahiman before attending a meeting with the Police Association.
Following the CM’s announcement of the inquiry, Anwar directly attacked Kumar at a media briefing held in Malappuram. Right after that, he accused Kumar of constructing a bungalow in a prime location close to Caudiyar Palace in Thiruvananthapuram, and wanted to on whose money is this being built. He further added that Kumar attempted to derail the investigation of the solar scam and provided a telephonic recording discussing the same.
Earlier, in June 2022 Kumar was sacked from the position of Director of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau in which position he had jailed PS Sarith, an accused in the gold smuggling of Thiruvananthapuram without any notice being given. In another instance, an accused in this case, Swapna Suresh put out an audio recording in which an alleged go-between Shaj Kiran spoke of having a conversation with Kumar about Sarris being in custody and then set loose. At that time a post of ADGP (Protection of Civil Rights) was also created and sanctioned for Kumar. In October 2022 he was given the post of ADGP (Law and Order).
