'No officer can break rules': Chennithala defends ADGP Ajithkumar’s suspension

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Friday defended the suspension of senior IPS officer M.R. Ajithkumar, saying no police officer, regardless of rank, would be allowed to violate established procedures. He said the government acted on the recommendation of the State Police Chief following a detailed probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

"There is nothing unusual in this order. The State Police Chief recommended suspension after examining the findings of a detailed investigation. As a government, we can act only in accordance with the rules. No officer can break the rules, and if anyone does, action will follow. Our government is clear that there will be no compromise on accountability," Chennithala said.

The minister's remarks came after the government released the detailed suspension order, outlining the reasons for initiating disciplinary proceedings against Ajithkumar, the former Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), under the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969.

The order, based on the SIT's findings and endorsed by the State Police Chief, alleges that the investigation into the alleged assault on Youth Congress workers during the Nava Kerala Sadas programme in Alappuzha in December 2023 was improperly influenced from the office of the then ADGP (Law and Order).

According to the government, the alleged intervention affected the course of the investigation and eventually led to the filing of a refer report, effectively shielding the accused from prosecution.

The government cited statements from three former investigating officers who reportedly gave similar accounts to the SIT, alleging that they faced pressure during the probe. The order also refers to the alleged involvement of officers attached to the then ADGP's office in influencing the investigation.

Ajithkumar denied the allegations in his interim explanation, questioned the SIT's findings and sought access to additional records before submitting a detailed response. However, the State Police Chief reportedly found his explanation unsatisfactory and recommended disciplinary action.

The government said supervisory intervention in an investigation is legally permitted but must be carried out strictly according to the law. It concluded that the alleged intervention in this case compromised the fairness of the investigation and undermined the course of justice.

With the detailed suspension order now public, attention has turned to Ajithkumar's next move. Sources indicate that the suspended officer may seek judicial relief under the applicable service rules, potentially opening another chapter in one of Kerala's closely watched policing controversies.

IANS