S Sreejith promoted as DGP; Yogesh Gupta appointed Bevco CMD

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government has promoted Director General of Prisons & Correctional Services S. Sreejith to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP). The promotion comes despite allegations that he travelled abroad without official permission while serving as an Additional Director General of Police (ADGP).

Sreejith's elevation became possible after ADGP M.R. Ajith Kumar was placed under suspension. The government will inform the Kerala High Court about the promotion. However, Sreejith will continue as the head of the Prisons & Correctional Services Department.

In another key appointment, senior IPS officer Yogesh Gupta has been named Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco). ADGP Balram Kumar Upadhyay has been appointed as the State Fire Force chief, succeeding Nitin Agrawal, who recently retired.

Sreejith also benefited from the fact that IPS officer Suresh Raj Purohit, who is on Central deputation, has not yet returned to the state. As the next officer in the seniority list, Sreejith became eligible for promotion.

The government has brought Yogesh Gupta back to head Bevco, filling the vacancy created after Ajith Kumar's suspension. Gupta had earlier served as Bevco CMD and is credited with improving the corporation's financial performance.