Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Monday came down heavily on the state government for promoting IPS officer S. Sreejith to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) while corruption allegations against him are still under consideration, questioning the undue haste behind the decision.
Justice A. Badharudeen orally observed that the government should have obtained a fresh vigilance clearance before granting the promotion, especially when two separate allegations against the officer are pending.
The court noted that vigilance clearance is a mandatory requirement while promoting an Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) to the rank of DGP.
It questioned why the government proceeded with the promotion despite earlier court orders directing reconsideration of allegations against the officer.
“You have sought time repeatedly to consider sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Then why the hurry to promote an officer against whom allegations are pending? Without a fresh vigilance clearance, the appointment appears hasty,” the court orally observed.
The observations came while hearing a petition alleging corruption in the appointment of bodybuilders Shinu Chovva and Chitharesh Natesan as police inspectors.
In an earlier order, the High Court had directed the Additional Chief Secretary to consider granting sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act for an inquiry into the allegations.
The court also recently set aside a report that had cleared Sreejith over allegations that he had undertaken an unauthorised foreign trip to Dubai to attend the inauguration of a private business establishment while serving as an ADGP.
During Monday’s hearing, the state again sought two weeks’ time to decide on sanction.
The court refused the request and directed the Additional Chief Secretary to take a decision on or before August 10, warning that failure to comply could invite adverse remarks.
The state government had only days earlier promoted Sreejith, who is currently serving as Prisons Chief, to the rank of DGP through a government order.
Despite the promotion, he will continue as head of the Prisons Department.
The promotion came after ADGP M.R. Ajith Kumar was placed under suspension in connection with allegations relating to attempts to derail the investigation into the gunmen deployment episode during the Nava Kerala Sadas programme under the previous LDF government.
While making it clear that the legality of the promotion was not under consideration in the present proceedings, the High Court observed that if the promotion violated the prescribed rules or procedure, it could be challenged separately before the appropriate forum.
The case will be taken up again on August 10.
(IANS)
