THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Dramatic scenes unfolded at the first press conference of newly appointed DGP Ravada Chandrasekhar at the state police headquarters when a retired Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) suddenly entered the venue and caused a disruption. The episode, considered a serious security breach, has led AIG Poonguzhali to initiate a formal inquiry.

The individual involved was V.P. Basheer, a native of Pinarayi in Kannur, who stormed in with a bundle of papers. Police personnel intervened and escorted Basheer out of the hall before he could reach the DGP. He was taken into custody by the Museum Police, questioned thoroughly, and later released around 6:30 p.m. along with a friend. No case has been registered. Police suspect Basheer may be suffering from mental health issues.

Basheer, who retired in 2023 as an ASI from the DIG office in Kannur, had arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. Learning that a new DGP was assuming charge, he reached police headquarters yesterday morning. Using his pensioner’s ID card, he gained entry and claimed at the gate that he had worked with Ravada Chandrasekhar in Kannur and had served as a security official.

He then waited in the lounge area before entering the press conference hall along with media personnel. When police detained him, he claimed to be a journalist working for an online portal in the Gulf — a claim later dismissed by police as false.

'30 years in uniform... I'm speaking out of pain'

“I had submitted a complaint to the Chief Minister. After serving 30 years in uniform, I’m speaking out of pain. Please respond to this,” Basheer said while holding up several documents and raising his voice in front of the DGP. The DGP assured him that the issue would be addressed.

Basheer had previously been assaulted by CPM workers in 2021 while serving at the Kannavam police station in Kannur. A case was filed based on his complaint, but he later approached the DGP again, dissatisfied with the investigation. The case was then handed over to the DySP of Koothuparamba. Trial proceedings are ongoing in court. During questioning, Basheer also claimed that his name was unnecessarily used in the film Narivetta and demanded action. He was released after submitting a three-page written complaint.