In-charge DGP instead of full-time chief? Government unhappy with top three contenders for post of State police chief

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government appears dissatisfied with the three names expected to be included in the Centre’s final shortlist for Kerala’s new police chief.

The officers likely to be shortlisted by the Centre are Nitin Agarwal, Ravada Chandrasekhar, and Yogesh Gupta. Appointments can only be made from this central list. It remains to be seen whether the state will appoint an in-charge DGP, as done in ten other states, including Uttar Pradesh. The government is reportedly considering continuing with an in-charge DGP until these three officers retire.

The government had initially considered Yogesh Gupta, who is third in seniority. However, he fell out of favour after recommending action against P.P. Divya, who was serving as the Kannur District Panchayat President at the time, over her alleged involvement in a benami company deal. He was removed from his post as Vigilance Chief and transferred to the Fire and Rescue Services, effectively blocking his path.

The most senior officer is Nitin Agarwal, currently the Road Safety Commissioner. Nitin, who had to return to Kerala after reportedly failing to prevent infiltration at the Pakistan border while serving as BSF chief, does not enjoy the support of the state government.

Ravada Chandrasekhar, currently a Special Director at the Intelligence Bureau (IB) headquarters in Delhi, is next in line. There are two main reasons why the state is unhappy with Ravada. First, his long tenure at the IB has led to concerns that he is aligned with the Centre. Second, controversy surrounds his past role in ordering the police firing at Koothuparamba that resulted in the death of five CPM workers when he was the ASP of Thalassery. Although he was reinstated into service after a judicial inquiry, he later moved to Central service. With elections approaching, appointing Ravada as the police chief could pose political risks.

Central panel expected by June

A list of the six most senior IPS officers is submitted to the Centre based on seniority. From this, the Centre provides a three-member panel to the state.

The panel is prepared by a committee consisting of the UPSC Chairman, the Union Home Secretary, the head of a central paramilitary force, the state DGP, and the Chief Secretary.

The Centre selects three names based on factors like experience. If Nitin Agarwal is excluded, Manoj Abraham may be included, and he stands a fair chance of being appointed.

List sent to the Centre
(Retirement date in brackets)

Nitin Agarwal – (July 2026)

Ravada Chandrasekhar – (July 2026)

Yogesh Gupta – (April 2030)

Manoj Abraham – (June 2031)

Suresh Raj Purohit – (April 2027)

M.R. Ajith Kumar – (January 2028)