THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: DGP Sudesh Kumar was recently removed from the position of Vigilance director. It is learned that he was removed from the position because of his 16 consecutive foreign trips, a leisure trip to China at the expense of a Qatari businessman and the purchase of a gold necklace of 7 sovereigns from leading jewellery at a discount of 95 percent. The vigilance was about to register a case after a petition was filed against him in the High Court. Subsequently, on the recommendation of the Home Secretary, he was transferred to the ex-cadre post of the Jail Chief.

While serving as the Vigilance DGP, Sudeshkumar had purchased a gold necklace from a prominent jewellery store by only paying ten per cent of the price. The jewellery had given such a bill. The owner of the jewellery with a copy of this bill later filed a complaint against the Vigilance director. Upon conducting an investigation into the matter, PTC Principal Yogesh reported that such an incident had not happened. When the complaint was received for the second time, the Home Secretary conducted an investigation and found that Sudesh Kumar was at fault.

It was also alleged that Sudesh Kumar had forced camp followers to do household work at his home. A controversy had also erupted when his daughter beat up a policeman who was the driver.

Went to China at the expense of complainant

• Sudesh Kumar had gone to China with his wife and two children at the expense of a Qatari businessman who was the complainant in the Kochi antiquities fraud case. He was accompanied by the younger brother of the businessman.
• Payments for airfare, accommodation, domestic flights to four cities, and shopping were made from the businessman's account. Although the government had received a complaint along with the bank statement, no investigation was announced.
• An investigation is underway into a complaint that Sudesh made 16 foreign trips under the sponsorship of a businessman.