Swami Sandeepananda Giri's ashram arson case: DySP suspended for leaking confidential information to PV Anvar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A police DySP was suspended for leaking confidential investigation documents to MLA P V Anvar in Swami Sandeepananda Giri's ashram arson case. The Home Department suspended DySP MI Shaji, accepting the recommendation of the Police Chief. An undercover investigation revealed that Shaji, a Crime Branch investigation officer, leaked the investigation report to take revenge on his superiors.

Upon examining Shaji's tour notes, vehicle diary, weekly diary, and phone call records, officials discovered a covert hatchet plan against top police officers. The investigation report in the sensational case was leaked to take revenge on a senior official. It was also found that Shaji used a SIM card taken from an anonymous address.

The confidential investigation reports were made public by Anvar through television channels. The former MLA then used this as a weapon to put top police officials in the dock. The DGP had recommended disciplinary action against the officials involved. A departmental inquiry was also ordered.

Shaji, who was in the control room in Thiruvananthapuram when the allegations were raised, was transferred to Kasaragod after the controversy.

According to Anvar:

The DySP who investigated the case became a booth agent of the BJP after retiring. There was an attempt by police to blame Sandeepananda Giri for the arson case. It was propagated that Swami himself burned the ashram to gain fame. Later, the Chief Minister intervened and appointed another team after which the culprits were arrested.

The intelligence report on the case submitted to ADGP MR Ajith Kumar was hushed up. The chief minister has not seen the report even now.