THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vigilance chief MR Ajith Kumar has been removed from his post following the revelation in an audio recording released by Swapna Suresh. An order regarding this was issued by the Home Department. The action is based on the directive of the Chief Minister.

The new director will not be appointed soon. IG H Venkatesh, Vigilance (Headquarters), will have the full additional charge of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau until further orders, the order said.

In the audio recording released by Swapna Suresh, it was alleged that Shaj Kiran was in constant touch with Vigilance Chief MR Ajith Kumar and Law and Order ADGP Vijay Sakhare. The intelligence report also confirmed that Shaj had called the vigilance chief. Though Sakhare had denied the allegations, Ajith Kumar did not respond.