What Does the Court Ruling Mean for CM Vijayan’s Trusted Cop?

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 14 (NationPress) In a notable blow to Kerala Excise Commissioner and Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) M.R. Ajith Kumar, a Thiruvananthapuram court has dismissed the Vigilance Department's report that had cleared him of allegations regarding illicit assets. This verdict could initiate further legal actions and significantly impact Ajith Kumar's prospects for promotion to Director General of Police (DGP).

The allegations originated from a complaint that accused Ajith Kumar of purchasing land for Rs 70 lakh per cent in an affluent area of Thiruvananthapuram and constructing a lavish residence funded by unlawful means.

The complainant also alleged that the officer received backing from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's Political Secretary, P. Sasi.

Initially, the Vigilance Department, following a directive from the government, investigated the claims and submitted a report that cleared the officer of wrongdoing.

The findings were endorsed by the Vijayan administration.

However, the court, after reviewing the case files, original investigative reports, official orders, and testimonies, found sufficient reasons to overturn the clean chit.

During the hearing, the petitioner contended that the investigation was flawed, as it was executed by officers under Ajith Kumar's command.

Moreover, he claimed that critical allegations, including the acquisition of land in the Pattom sub-registrar's area for Rs 33 lakh, obtaining a flat in Kawdiar for Rs 31 lakh, and its subsequent resale for Rs 65 lakh, were inadequately explored.

The court pointed out that the Vigilance SP had previously submitted only a copy of the report without the original documents, raising concerns about the investigation's credibility.

The court has mandated that the full, original report be presented to address the petitioner's issues.

This case will now continue, potentially influencing both the officer's career and the government's approach to high-profile corruption claims.

Notably, it was the then Left-supported Independent legislator P.V. Anvar who first brought these allegations to light and approached both Vijayan and the CPI-M state Secretary regarding Ajith Kumar's unchallenged conduct, but both officials chose not to pursue his complaint.

This situation led Anvar to resign from his assembly seat, resulting in a by-election where the Congress candidate triumphed by a significant margin.

In an unrelated incident last week, the Kerala High Court criticized Ajith Kumar for violating court orders by using a tractor to access the renowned Sabarimala temple.