T P Senkumar blamed for lapses in Jisha probe

Kochi: The state government on Friday filed a statement before the Central Administrative Tribunal, Kochi bench, blaming  former DGP T.P. Senkumar for his lapses in many respects. Mr S. Sreevalsan, Joint Secretary of  General Administration,  made the submission while opposing the petition of  Mr Senkumar challenging his transfer from the post.

The state submitted that in the Jisha murder case, the government had taken note of several serious lapses on the part of the police officers which Senkumar tried to whitewash, ignore or justify. The level of callousness and insensitivity with which the matter was handled by the police chief was shocking. On the whole, the government had no option but to replace the state police chief with an efficient and capable officer to deal with such a situation.

The brutal murder occurred on April 28 and the incident shocked the conscience of the nation and especially the people of the state. But the police officials, who  investigated it initially had not taken measures to safeguard the available evidence. In fact, there were many wilful lapses on the part of Senkumar. He had failed to act as state police chief.

According to the state government, the police took hasty steps to cremate the body. The incident came to the notice of the people  the next day, but it took five days for the police to report the matter to the government, that too, only after the news was widely carried in the media.  This caused widespread criticism in the media and among the public about the police apathy.

The state submitted that Senkumar even after five days of the incident did not indicate the time of registration of the First Information Report. The report was an attempt to focus on the skill of the investigation team rather than informing the government of the matters regarding the brutal murder. The government received a second report on May 4, which was totally insensitive to the gravity of the situation.

On May 12, the government received a third report highlighting the socio-economic scenario of the victim. It was also indicated that there are such vulnerable families and such crimes are bound to happen. Senkumar was enthusiastic in protecting the delinquent officers. As a result, the image of the state government before the public and sense of security to the public, were adversely affected. There was failure not only  in prevention, but also in direction.