Infighting within senior police officers for prized DGP post

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With DGP Sheikh Darvesh Sahib set to resign from his post next June, infighting has started among senior police officers eyeing the post. UPSC will form a three-member recruitment panel after getting the state's shortlist.

The state government will appoint one officer from the list as the new DGP. Years back, Tomin J Thachankary, a loyal police officer to the government, failed to find a place in the final list prepared. With such a possibility on cards, senior officers are trying all means to earn a place in the final list.

Previously, those with 30 years of service were considered. Now, even officers with 25 years of experience are making into the list, to be sent to the central government. P. Vijayan of the 1999 batch will be on the list. Considering seniority, performance, IB report, and character integrity, a three-member panel will be prepared by a committee consisting of UPSC Chairman, Union Home Secretary, Chief of one of the Central Forces, Chief Secretary and Superintendent of Police.

Nitin Agarwal will be the most senior officer on the list when Darvesh Saheb steps down in June. The central government may not consider him since he was once taken off from BSF duty due to inefficiency.

ADGP Ajith Kumar is sixth in seniority. He has not received the President's Medal for Meritorious Service even though his tenure is up to January 2028. This is vital for the DGP post. Ajith will have no chance to be DGP if Manoj Abraham becomes DGP whose tenure is till June 2031.

• Vigilance chief Yogesh Gupta, who is third in seniority, is seeking deputation to the Narcotics Control Bureau.

• Vijay Sakare, who has service till 2030, can continue in NIA till 2027 but is ready to return to Kerala if he is made police chief.

• If Yogesh goes on central deputation and Center does not allow Ravada in IB and S Suresh in SPG to return to Kerala, Ajith Kumar can be included in the three-member panel.

Top in contention:

1. Nitin Agarwal (July 2026)

2.Ravada chandrasekhar (July 2026)

3. Yogesh Gupta (April 2030)

4. Manoj Abraham (June 2031)

5. S. Suresh (April 2027)

6. M.R. Ajithkumar (January 2028)

7. S. Sreejith (May 2028)

8. Vijay Sakare (December 2030)

9. Balram Upadhyay (May 2030)