Kochi: Ending speculations that former state police chief Loknath Behra, who took over as the Managing Director of Kochi Metro Rail Corporation (KMRL), has gone on leave after an image circulated on social media with self-styled antique collector Monson Mavunkal, KMRL said that he has been in office and not gone on leave as rumoured.

However, he will leave for Odisha on October 1 to participate in a meeting of Odisha Administrative Service. A picture of him honouring a police officer for seizing a python near JLN Stadium Metro Station has also been shared by KMRL.

Ever since the arrest of fraudulent antique dealer Monson Mavunkal, a section of the Kerala Police officials is jittery after pictures of some very high ranking officials with the arrested surfaced.

On Thursday, the news came that former State Police chief Loknath Behra has gone on leave. Behra superannuated on June 30 and very soon was given the post of the MD of Kochi Metro.

Though Behra is yet to speak about his links with Mavunkal, the news is that he has gone on leave for personal reasons for the treatment of his wife, which will take place at his home state, Odisha.

On Wednesday, the Kerala unit of the BJP demanded that a case be registered against all the high-ranking police officials who have had links with Mavunkal.

BJP General Secretary B. Gopalakrishnan said that visuals of Behra and Additional Director General of Police Manoj Abraham visiting the antique dealer at his Kochi 'museum' have come out.