Despite strong pressure, refused to file a case against Chandy in solar case, yet some reasons are there for CM to pick Anil Kant

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Whether there is rain or sun, running 15 km in the morning is the routine of our new DGP Anil Kant. That is said to be the secret of his health. Considering Anil Kant holding the rank of additional DGP, as DGP was unexpected. Anil Kant was fifth in the list of 12 senior IPS officers to have completed 30 years of service handed over to UPSC by the government for appointment as DGP.

Anil Kant was shortlisted in the three-member list after SPG chief Arun Kumar Sinha, in charge of PM's security, refused to come to Kerala and second in turn Tomin Thachankari was dropped. Anil Kant was behind Sudesh Kumar, who is in the rank of DGP and senior ADGP B Sandhya in the panel. The government gave Anil Kant the task of leading the force and gave him the rank of DGP.

Anil Kant is an official who do not have a good rapport with the media and is not interested to roam in khaki. However, he will look at one’s face and say what has to be said. Despite being compelled by the government to file a harassment case against top UDF leaders, including Oommen Chandy, based on the statement of the accused in the solar case while serving as southern region additional DGP, Anil Kant did not comply with it. When pressure mounted, Anil Kant withdrew from the probe and asked the DGP to exempt him.

Before the local and assembly elections, Anil Kant was brought to the crime branch and tried to make him arrest prominent people, but he refused. Finally, the government's trump card-- arrest in solar case, could not be used during the election time. While serving as ASP, he behaved as a mature man, perhaps because he saw the woman's complaint, suspension, and controversy. He has also served as the chief of prison, vigilance, fire and crime branches.

When Lokanath Behera was appointed as the DGP during the first Pinarayi government, Senkumar, who was the DGP, refused to hand over the baton. Anil Kant was then assigned for the mission. Anil Kant accepting the baton from Behera yesterday and sitting in the chair of the police chief is history. His wife, Preeta Harit has contested in elections as congress and BSP candidate.

Chief Minister Pinarai Vijayan informed at the cabinet meet that Anil Kant, who has a clean service record, is being appointed as the state police chief. No allegations or cases exist against him. Though a complaint was raised against him while he was ASP in the beginning of his service, there were no complaints later. All the ministers accepted chief minister’s instruction.

Based on the order of the Supreme Court, the government had sought the advice of law secretary in connection with the appointment of him as the police chief. The law secretary’s legal advice was that, Kant, who has a service tenure of seven months, can appoint him with a service of two years. However, when the order was issued, this tenure was not specified. The sources of the home department assert that if his tenure has to be extended for two years, the order need issued just before his retirement.

It has been assessed that there was a controversy against Sudesh Kumar, first in the UPSC list, accusing him of treating cops as slaves. The chief minister chose Kant as there were some complaints against Sandhya, second in the list.