Vigilance court orders preliminary probe against Shanker Reddy

Thiruvananthapuram: The Vigilance special court here has ordered a preliminary inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the promotion and posting of Mr Shanker Reddy as Vigilance director by the previous UDF government.

Former chief minister Oommen Chandy, Opposition Leader and former home minister Ramesh Chennithala, former chief secretary Jiji Thomson and additional chief secretary Tom Jose would face  the probe in this connection.

The Inquiry Commissioner and Special Court (Vigilance) directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to submit the preliminary inquiry report by February 15. Mr. Reddy is now serving as Director of State Crime Records Bureau.

Considering a petition filed by activist Paichira Navaz, the court had observed that the previous government had granted promotion to Mr. Reddy to DGP post despite objections raised by the centre and home secretary Nalini Netto.

It may be recalled that four IPS officers, including Mr. Reddy, were promoted from the ADGP as  DGPs. The others promoted were Fire and Rescue Services director- general A. Hemachandran, DGP Headquarters Rajesh Dewan and Coast Police director-general Mohammed Yasin.

Sources told DC that the promotions were made by the government by exercising its powers. Similar promotions were done on earlier occasions also. Moreover, Mr. Reddy was initially given the additional charge of Vigilance director as the post fell vacant while he was serving as ADGP Vigilance. He was later given full charge of Vigilance director after being promoted as DGP.

The petitioner alleged that Mr. Reddy was posted as Vigilance director as part of a conspiracy to protect UDF leaders and senior bureaucrats from a case pertaining to the irregularities in the Kannur airport work.

Mr. Reddy had recently sent a representation to the chief secretary stating that the petition alleging irregularities in his promotion was aimed at maligning him.