Ajith Kumar still gets police security and escort despite suspension; 14 officers with him

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: ADGP M R Ajith Kumar continues to receive police security and an escort despite being under suspension. As many as 14 police personnel, including a driver and a gunman, are still with him. The police are now worried that their attendance may not be recorded and that their salaries could be withheld.

Even though a suspended officer has no specific official duties, Ajith Kumar continues to have 14 police personnel with him. Officially, an ADGP is permitted to have only four police personnel as personal staff. The remaining security personnel are supposed to be sent back. However, this rule has not been followed.

Accompanying a suspended officer is not considered official duty. As a result, the attendance of these officials may not be recorded, putting their salaries at risk.

It has been about one and a half months since Ajith Kumar was suspended in connection with the Alappuzha rescue operation case. The SIT found that Ajith Kumar had intervened in an alleged attempt to sabotage the case related to an incident in which members of the KSU and Youth Congress were beaten by the security team of the then chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The SIT reached the conclusion that the ADGP was responsible after meticulously collecting phone conversations related to the alleged attempts to derail the case, witness statements and circumstantial evidence.

The preliminary report submitted initially did not clearly point to Ajith Kumar's role. Later, after the DGP directed that the issues surrounding the alleged involvement of senior officials be clarified, the SIT submitted a detailed report. This led to action being taken against Ajith Kumar.