Additional superintendent of police asked to explain photo shoot with actor Nivin Pauly

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The row over young IPS officer Merin Joseph posing for a photograph with actor Nivin Pauly had taken a fresh turn with additional chief secretary (home) Nalini Netto seeking a clarification from state police chief T. P. Senkumar.

According to home department sources, Ms. Netto received a petition in this regard and it was forwarded to Mr Senkumar, which was a routine step being taken on such complaints.

Mr. Senkumar, however, said it did not come to his notice yet. Home department sources said the petition was filed by a media person.

Ms Joseph, who is serving as the additional SP under training in Ernakulam rural police district, had earlier accused the media of kicking up the controversy.

She had posed for a photograph in uniform with the actor after a function in Kochi on July 12 and posted it on the social media.

The picture, taken by Hibi Eden MLA, went viral inviting criticism from various quarters. There were also reports that she was pulled up by senior officials.

She again took to the social media to justify her act saying she was only a guest at the function and that she had no official duties. She posed for the photograph with the actor after the event was over and the minister and other dignitaries left the venue.

"The media channels which pander to such cheapness and voyeurism, have my pity. I pray such desperate means don't become the only means to earn their livelihood," she said in her post.