Suspension of senior Kerala Police officer being continued to cancel his promotion

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Government is yet to reinstate IG P Vijayan, who has been under suspension for six months for seeking central help to arrest the suspect in a terrorism case, despite the Chief Secretary recommending twice. It is alleged that the aim is to prevent his deputation in CBI and ADGP promotion due in January.

IG P Vijayan's suspension was the result of the top brass alleging that the Kerala Police had lost credit due to the intervention of central agencies to nab Elathur train arson case accused Shahrukh Saifi. Vijayan, who is also a former head of the counter-terrorism force, is under suspension despite incidents of suspected terrorist links.

The suspension was on May 18 on charges of neglecting the security of the accused. The proceedings were based on ADGP MR Ajithkumar's report that Vijayan had contacted the officials who had brought the accused from Maharashtra which was a security breach. However, Vijayan got involved in the case on the instructions of DGP Anilkanth.

After it was confirmed that the accused had left Kerala, Vijayan sought the help of Kerala cadre IG Anoop Kuruvila John, senior executive director at the Union Cabinet Secretariat. The IB, Maharashtra-Karnataka Anti-Terrorist Squads, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi Police and RPF were coordinated to nab the accused through this move.

Photo of the accused was released

Although it was Maharashtra ATS that released the photo and video of the accused, the blame for that also was put on Vijayan. Entire blame was put on Vijayan although the ADGP, IG, SP, DySP and a media person had kept calling the DySP who brought the accused to Kerala. The ADGP alleged that the travel route of the accused getting revealed could have led to an attack by the terrorists.

Vijayan informed the government that the reasons given for the suspension were false. The Chief Secretary's recommendation was not implemented the first time due to the opposition of the DGP.

Political reasons as well

Vijayan was invited to participate with the Prime Minister in the celebration of the 100th edition of the Prime Minister's radio program Mann Ki Baat. The invitation was as one of the 100 prominent people of the country. The government did not permit him to participate.