THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The central government has rejected the two-year unpaid leave application submitted by DGP-ranked vigilance chief TK Vinod Kumar, who received another lucrative offer as a faculty in an American university. An application was made to the Ministry of Home Affairs last September to take leave from December 31. In his request, Kumar mentioned returning to service after a year's hiatus and then retiring in August 2025.

However, the central government is not so keen on allowing Kumar to go abroad as he is on the verge of retirement. Kumar can retire if he wants, but the request for unpaid leave has been dismissed by the home ministry with doubts.

During earlier times, officers in higher ranks were allowed to leave the country to take up other jobs. Now, the Modi government has curtailed such practices and has dismissed many such requests in recent times. Deputation to international agencies including the United Nations, Asian Development Bank and World Bank is allowed. The central government is not ready to lose the essential service of such senior officers and thinks they can still contribute big in their twilight years in service.

T.K Vinodkumar, who received US training in anti-terrorist operations, used to teach in universities in America. He has a PhD in Criminology and is a 1992 batch IPS officer. He was the intelligence chief during the previous government. He came to Vigilance as DGP last August.

Beverages Corporation CMD Yogesh Gupta (1993 IPS batch) would get DGP rank if TK Vinodkumar goes on leave. Otherwise, Yogesh needs to wait until Police Sheikh Darvesh Sahib retires next July.