ADGP Ajithkumar suspension: Chennithala says no officer is above rules
Synopsis
Kerala's Home Minister Chennithala has put his weight behind the suspension of a senior IPS officer, citing SIT findings that the Alappuzha Youth Congress assault probe was improperly influenced from within the ADGP's own office. With the officer likely to seek judicial relief, a high-stakes accountability battle over Kerala's policing hierarchy is just beginning.
Key Takeaways
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on 24 July defended the suspension of ADGP M.R.
Ajithkumar , calling it a rule-bound action.
The suspension follows a State Police Chief recommendation based on a detailed SIT probe.
The order alleges the investigation into the Nava Kerala Sadas assault at Alappuzha (December 2023) was improperly influenced from Ajithkumar's office.
Three former Investigating Officers reportedly gave consistent accounts of pressure during the probe.
Ajithkumar denied the allegations; his interim explanation was found unsatisfactory by the State Police Chief.
The suspended officer is reportedly likely to seek judicial relief under service rules.
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Friday, 24 July mounted a strong defence of the suspension of senior IPS officer M.R. Ajithkumar, the former Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), asserting that the Kerala government acted strictly on the recommendation of the State Police Chief following a detailed Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe. The suspension has emerged as one of the most closely watched policing controversies in the state in recent years.
What Chennithala Said
'There is nothing unusual in this order. The State Police Chief recommended suspension after examining the findings of a detailed investigation. As a government, we can act only in accordance with the rules. No officer can break the rules, and if anyone does, action will follow. Our government is clear that there will be no compromise on accountability,' Chennithala said, responding to questions over the action.
The minister's remarks followed the government's release of the detailed suspension order, which formally initiates disciplinary proceedings against Ajithkumar under the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969.
What the Suspension Order Alleges
The order, grounded in the SIT's findings and endorsed by the State Police Chief, alleges that the investigation into the alleged assault on Youth Congress workers during the Nava Kerala Sadas programme at Alappuzha in December 2023 was improperly influenced from the office of the then ADGP (Law and Order).
According to the order, the alleged intervention altered the trajectory of the probe and culminated in the filing of a refer report — effectively shielding the accused from prosecution. The government also cited the alleged involvement of officers attached to Ajithkumar's office in influencing the investigation.
Crucially, three former Investigating Officers reportedly gave consistent accounts before the SIT, alleging they had come under pressure during the probe. Their statements formed a key pillar of the case for disciplinary action.
Ajithkumar's Response and the Government's Finding
Ajithkumar denied the allegations in his interim explanation, questioned the SIT's conclusions, and sought access to additional records before filing a detailed response. However, the State Police Chief found the explanation unsatisfactory and recommended disciplinary proceedings.
The government concluded that while supervisory intervention in an investigation is legally permissible, it must be exercised strictly within the bounds of the law. In this instance, it held that the alleged intervention had compromised the fairness of the probe and undermined justice.
What Happens Next
With the detailed suspension order now in the public domain, attention is turning to Ajithkumar's next move. Sources indicate the suspended officer is likely to seek judicial relief — an avenue available to him under service rules. That would set the stage for the next chapter in a controversy that has already drawn intense scrutiny over policing accountability in Kerala.
Point of View
And Chennithala's unusually emphatic public defence signals the government is prepared for a prolonged legal battle. What the order reveals is structurally significant: it is not merely about one officer's conduct, but about whether supervisory authority over investigations was weaponised to protect political allies. The three investigating officers who allegedly reported pressure form the evidentiary spine — their credibility will be tested if Ajithkumar moves court. The broader question mainstream coverage has underplayed is why the refer report in the Alappuzha case went unchallenged for so long before the SIT was constituted at all.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was ADGP M.R. Ajithkumar suspended?
Ajithkumar was suspended following an SIT probe that found the investigation into the alleged assault on Youth Congress workers at Alappuzha in December 2023 was improperly influenced from his office. The State Police Chief found his interim explanation unsatisfactory and recommended disciplinary proceedings under the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969.
What did Home Minister Chennithala say about the suspension?
Chennithala said the government acted strictly on the State Police Chief's recommendation and that no officer, regardless of rank, would be allowed to break rules. He stated there would be no compromise on accountability.
What is the Nava Kerala Sadas assault case?
The Nava Kerala Sadas was a government outreach programme; Youth Congress workers were allegedly assaulted at an event in Alappuzha in December 2023. The SIT probe found that the subsequent police investigation was allegedly influenced from the then ADGP (Law and Order)'s office, leading to a refer report that shielded the accused from prosecution.
What can Ajithkumar do next?
Ajithkumar can seek judicial relief under service rules, which sources indicate he is likely to pursue. This would move the dispute from the administrative domain to the courts, potentially prolonging the controversy.
Is supervisory intervention in a police probe legally allowed?
Yes, supervisory intervention in an investigation is legally permissible. However, the Kerala government held that in this case the alleged intervention exceeded legal bounds, compromised the fairness of the probe, and undermined justice.
