THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: SP Sujith Das, who was suspended following serious allegations including misappropriating smuggled gold and tree felling, has been appointed at the police headquarters. He has been appointed as the Superintendent of Information, Communication and Technology. The suspension was cancelled on the 6th of this month. The appointment was made yesterday. Sujith was given the chair after S Devamanohar, who was the Superintendent there, was appointed as the Additional Excise Commissioner (Enforcement) by creating an ex-cadre post. The vigilance investigation against Sujith is not over.

The review committee headed by the Chief Secretary had recommended reinstatement as Sujith had been suspended for six months. Sujith was under investigation by DIG Ajeetha Begum for cutting and smuggling trees from the SP's office and making furniture when he was the Malappuram SP. Sujith's phone conversation that he would stay loyal to Anvar for the rest of his service period if Anvar withdrew the complaint about the tree cutting was a big controversy.

Anvar had alleged that the Dansaf squad led by Sujith Das was stealing up to 60% of the gold seized in Karipur. The allegation was that there was a shortage of up to 300 grams in one kilo of gold seized. It was also revealed that money was taken from the accused in the Ramanattukara gold smuggling case.

Merin Joseph transferred

Merin Joseph, who was SP of the Thiruvananthapuram Crime Branch, has been appointed as ADIG (Police) at the police headquarters. J. Kishore Kumar, who was there, has been made the Legal Metrology Controller.

Investigation against ADGP: Vigilance seeks 45 days time

The Vigilance informed the court that the Vigilance investigation against ADGP MR Ajith Kumar is progressing rapidly and requested 45 days to submit the report. The case was considered by Special Vigilance Court Judge M. V. Rajakumara. Accepting the Vigilance's request, the court adjourned the case to May 6 for further consideration.

The Vigilance team informed the court that the report is being delayed because more witness statements have to be recorded. The Vigilance is investigating two complaints, including Ajith Kumar's illegal amassing of wealth. The court is considering the petition filed by Neyyattinkara Nagaraj to investigate the construction of a house at a cost of crores on land in Kowdiar worth lakhs. The preliminary report giving Ajith a clean chit was submitted to the government by the Vigilance the other day, but it has not reached the court.