Committee to review IG P Vijayan’s suspension

Thiruvananthapuram: The government appointed a four-member committee to review the suspension of P Vijayan, Inspector General (IG) in-charge of anti-terrorist squad. 

The committee consists of Chief Secretary V. Venu as its President, Local government department Additional chief secretary Sharada Muralidharan, Home secretary Biswanath Sinha and G.A.D Additional Chief Secretary K.R Jyothilal. 

This review committee was appointed as per the Centre’s discretion. The decision on whether or not Vijayan’s suspension should prevail will be taken by the committee. 

The IG was suspended on 18 May following the arrest of the accused in the Elathur train arson case. ADGP M.R Ajith Kumar had submitted a report to the government that Vijayan contacted the police officers who were responsible for transporting the accused from Maharashtra to Kerala. As he was not part of the investigation team, this led to a security breach, the ADGP reported.

The suspension was carried out based on this report. Law and Order ADGP K. Padmakumar was assigned with the duty of submitting a report regarding the suspected security lapse.

There was contention in the police over Vijayan’s suspension. While one faction aligned with the idea that personal enmity was behind Vijayan’s suspension, the others argued that it was a serious breach of discipline on his part.