'What's the government's interest in investigation against official?'; Court dismisses clean chit to Ajith Kumar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Thiruvananthapuram Special Vigilance Court has dismissed the Vigilance report that gave ADGP M.R. Ajith Kumar a clean chit in a disproportionate assets case. The court also criticised the role of the state leadership in the matter. It pointed out that the report mentioned the Chief Minister’s approval for clearing Ajith Kumar. The court questioned why political leaders should be involved in an investigation against a police officer.

The court stated that, although the Chief Minister is the head of the Vigilance department, this role is purely administrative. Seeking the CM's approval in the report was illegal.. The court also said there were indications that the state leadership may have helped Ajith Kumar. It made clear that the CM’s approval or involvement was not needed at any stage of the investigation.

The case is about prime land in Kowdiar, Thiruvananthapuram, allegedly bought in the name of Ajith Kumar’s brother-in-law. Advocate Nagaraj, who filed the petition, said the land, worth Rs 70 lakh per cent, was bought using illegal money, and a luxury house was later built there.

The petitioner also claimed that the Chief Minister’s political secretary, P. Sasi, gave undue help to the ADGP. He alleged that the clean chit was given because of high-level influence. After reviewing the report and other evidence, the court cancelled the clean chit and ordered the investigation against Ajith Kumar to continue.