Govt revokes suspension, IG P Vijayan back to service after six months

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: IG P Vijayan, who was suspended for allegedly leaking the travel details of the accused in the Elathur train fire case, has been reinstated on Monday. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has issued an order cancelling Vijayan's suspension. However, the departmental investigation against Vijayan will continue.

After the arrest of the accused in the arson case, Vijayan received a suspension order and was out of service for the last six months. It is learned that the suspension was withdrawn after repeated requests from the Chief Secretary. The IG was suspended on May 18 for allegedly leaking the travel information of the accused in the Elathur case to the media. The action was based on the report of the ADGP in charge of law and order.

The suspension of Vijayan was immediate without even waiting for his explanation of the matter. However, immediately after the suspension, Vijayan gave an explanation to the government denying the allegations. After two months, a committee headed by Chief Secretary K Venu re-examined the matter and came in favour of Vijayan, but the government felt the need to wait and delayed the withdrawal procedure.

The Home Department even sought an explanation from the state police chief and delayed the withdrawal of the suspension again. Later in September, the committee chaired by the Chief Secretary gave a report in favour of the IG for the second time. Following this, the suspension has now been withdrawn.