THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two police officers who caught accused in the TP Chandrasekharan murder case have been conferred with IPS. This is for AP Shoukathali and KV Santhosh who were in the investigation team.

Kodi Suni-led criminal gang and CPM local leaders involved in TP Chandrasekharan murder case were jailed by the police team in which the two were part of. When the LDF government came to power, senior officials who were part of the investigation team in the TP case were not given the task of maintaining law and order. Shoukathali was later transferred to the NIA on deputation. Shoukathali and his gang carried out a covert operation after information about the raid on Kodi Suni and his gang was leaked several times.

A group of more than 20 people led by Shoukathali reached Vadakara in a tipper lorry at around 2 in the morning. The police team was disguised as brick workers, wearing headscarves and lungi. The mountain climb through the forest was using light from mobile phone in heavy rain. Suni's hideout was found at around 4 in the morning. Kodi Suni, Shafi, Kirmani Manoj and three helpers were fast asleep when the police entered the tent. They attempt to confront them using a gun when the officers revealed their identity. The accused were subdued after a fight that went on for half an hour. Later, when other officials were reluctant to arrest the CPM leaders, Shoukathali took over the task.

In 1995, Shoukathali joined the Kerala Police as SI with first rank. KV Santhosh, who was ranked third in that batch, is now Malappuram Crime Branch SP. Shoukathali is the Assistant Director of the Thrissur Police Academy.

IPS for 9 ASPs

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Nine police superintendents in the state have been conferred with IPS by Ministry of Home Affairs-AR Prem Kumar, D Mohanan, Amos Mamman, AP Shoukathali, KV Santhosh, VU Kuriakose, S. Sasidharan, PN Rameshkumar, and MAL Sunil.

K Jayakumar and T Ramachandran were in the select list but was omitted from the final list. The state has not given Certificate of Integrity to Jayakumar. IPS recipients AR Prem Kumar, D Mohanan, Amos Samman have retired from service. With this, they can continue in the service till 60 years of age. Though there were 33 vacancies for three years from 2018 onwards, UPSC only considered vacancies list for 2018.