Kerala government orders vigilance probe against ADGP

THIRUVNANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government has ordered a Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) inquiry into the accusations of wealth accumulation against ADGP Law and Order M R Ajith Kumar and former Pathanamthitta SP Sujith Das.

The vigilance investigation follows a report submitted by DGP Shaik Darvesh Sahib, who conducted a preliminary investigation into the allegations of corruption, wealth accumulation, and connections with gold smuggling syndicates made by ruling front MLA P V Anvar against the ADGP and the former SP. The official statement noted the allegations encompass the unauthorised felling of valuable trees from the District SP Office premises, accepting bribes related to a case, misappropriation of confiscated gold, and the construction of an expensive residence by the ADGP in Thiruvananthapuram.

ADGP M R Ajith Kumar is under scrutiny from the ruling LDF and the Congress-led opposition UDF for his controversial meetings with RSS leaders Dattatreya Hosabale and Ram Madhav. The officer met with the RSS leaders twice, without his official vehicle.

The CPI, the second-largest constituent of the LDF, has urged the Chief Minister to take action against the ADGP for his interactions with the RSS. "We need to understand what occurred during the meetings between the top-ranking police officer and the RSS leaders, and who orchestrated these meetings. These meetings cannot be dismissed lightly," stated CPI leader Prakash Babu.

KPCC President K Sudhakaran asked the Chief Minister whether he has been able to convince the LDF constituents and even his cadre on why he is shielding the RSS-affiliated ADGP. He alleged that the Chief Minister is safeguarding individuals closely associated with the RSS. According to him, the CPM is colluding with the RSS to undermine the Congress in the state.

Kerala Assembly Speaker A N Shamsheer, part of the CPM, also downplayed the ADGP's meetings with RSS leaders. "The RSS is a significant organisation in the country, and there is nothing wrong with meeting their leaders," he recently stated, which sparked intense protest from a section of Left camp.