The Kerala government has suspended Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) M.R. Ajitkumar IPS for allegedly attempting to sabotage the investigation into the December 15, 2023 assault on Youth Congress and KSU workers by the security personnel of then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during the Nava Kerala Sadas programme in Alappuzha.
The suspension pertains to the violence that erupted during Pinarayi Vijayan’s Nava Kerala Sadas programme in Alappuzha, where protesters waving black flags were allegedly assaulted by the Chief Minister’s gunman and escort security personnel.
Vijayan had defended the action as a “rescue operation”, claiming that the security personnel acted to prevent the protesters from being hit by the convoy. During the incident, one protester was struck on the head with a plant pot, while another was hit with a helmet. Visuals of the assault had gone viral, triggering widespread controversy.
The Special Investigation Team’s report reportedly made it clear that Ajitkumar had a role in sabotaging the case.
Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheeshan issued the suspension order based on the recommendations of Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala. The report also recommends departmental inquiries against three Deputy Superintendents of Police (DySPs) and a Grade Sub-Inspector (SI) attached to the ADGP’s office.
It is reported that Superintendent of Police (SP) Shoukkathali submitted the inquiry report to the State Police Chief four days earlier after adding further evidence of Ajitkumar’s alleged interference in the case.
The first report was reportedly kept pending in the State Police Chief’s office for 21 days before being returned, triggering controversy. Allegations also emerged from within the Congress party that the Home Minister was attempting to sabotage the inquiry.
A re-investigation into the “Rescue Operation” case was among the first decisions announced by the V.D. Satheeshan government after assuming office.
The allegation against M.R. Ajitkumar is that he sabotaged the investigation into the “Rescue Operation”. Interestingly, A.D. Thomas, one of the Youth Congress leaders who was brutally assaulted during the Pinarayi programme, is now an MLA.
The allegations against the ADGP include that he summoned the investigating officers to his office and interfered with the probe. Investigators were allegedly placed under pressure, and the report was altered in his office. Although he maintained that he had no role in the matter, it was reportedly established that the alterations were made on his instructions.
