Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday said that the government suspended ADGP M R Ajithkumar after following all procedural formalities and that is why its decision was not stayed by the administrative tribunal.
Satheesan, speaking to reporters here after a Cabinet meeting, said that the government was criticised and accused by the media of delaying the action to protect Ajithkumar.
"But, we took action without any haste and after carefully considering all aspects and reports. As a government we have to follow the procedural formalities. We cannot jump into action because of media reports. Since we took a well considered decision by following the proper procedure, the tribunal did not stay the suspension," the CM contended.
The Kerala government on July 24 issued an order suspending Ajithkumar pending disciplinary proceedings over allegations that he interfered with the investigation into the alleged assault on Youth Congress workers during the Nava Kerala Sadas programme in Alappuzha in 2023.
The suspension order was based on the findings of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the assault case registered at the Alappuzha South Police Station.
The case relates to the alleged assault on Youth Congress workers, including current Alappuzha MLA AD Thomas, by members of then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's security and escort team during the Nava Kerala Sadas programme on December 15, 2023.
The CM said that based on an initial report of the SIT, certain officials involved in the matter were suspended.
Subsequently, a second SIT report outlined the role of the ADGP and the DGP examined, took legal advice and then forwarded it to the government where he and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala took note of the findings and decided to suspend Ajithkumar.
"We did not act in haste. The decision to investigate the matter was taken in the first Cabinet of this government and within two months of that, we took action," the CM said.
Earlier in the day, Chennithala said that Ajithkumar was unlikely to be promoted as DGP as his suspension remains in force and has not been stayed by the administrative tribunal.
He told reporters that Ajithkumar's name was on top of the list approved for promotion to DGP by former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan last year.
The minister said that on the normal course, he would have got the promotion as he was the senior most on the list.
He also said that a promotion of an officer under the All India Services can be obstructed only if there is a suspension or a disciplinary action or a chargesheet is filed in a criminal case against him.
"In the instant case, in view of the officer's suspension and his plea for staying the same being not granted by the tribunal, his promotion is not likely to take place according to the prevailing rules," he said.
Chennithala said that in the instant case, proper procedure was followed before the officer was suspended.
