No investigation yet into DGP Sreejith's foreign trip: High Court criticizes Chief Secretary

KOCHI: No decision has been taken yet on the Vigilance investigation into Director General of Police S Sreejith’s trip abroad without permission during his tenure as ADGP to attend the inauguration of a private institution in uniform. The Deputy Chief Secretary Minhaj Alam, who was present in person, informed the High Court about this.

“If not now, when will it happen? The Home Secretary's post is an important one.” Justice A. Badaruddin warned that if not shown responsibility, the Home Secretary will be constantly summoned and will have to face contempt of court.

The Deputy Chief Secretary also got criticised for submitting a leave application through a subordinate officer. The court reminded that it is not a village office or a taluk office, but the highest court in the state. The criticism came after the previous order was not implemented in the petition demanding a vigilance investigation against S. Sreejith. The Deputy Chief Secretary submitted the application through another officer seeking more time. The court said that if this trend continues, a heavy fine will be imposed.

The petition was disposed of as Minhaj Alam explained that steps have been taken to comply with the court's order to hold a hearing in private with Dipin Edavana, who had filed a complaint against Sreejith.

The court was dissatisfied with the move to record the statements of the accused and the complainant together.

No need to appear today

The Home Department's Assistant Chief Secretary was supposed to appear in the High Court again on Friday on a petition alleging blocking the promotion of P. Sreekumar, who was a CI in Cherthala. He was exempted from appearing, as it was informed that the promotion proposal would be considered by the relevant committee in the next meeting. Justice Badaruddin directed him to file an affidavit explaining the decision.

The promotion was blocked, citing the reduction in increment in the Monson Mavungal case and other reasons.