New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram: In a rare and stringent administrative action, the Union Government has compulsorily retired Enforcement Directorate (ED) Deputy Director P Radhakrishnan, citing serious allegations of bribery, leakage of sensitive information, dereliction of duty and lack of integrity. The decision follows an internal inquiry ordered by the Union Ministry of Finance, which reportedly substantiated adverse intelligence inputs against the officer.
Action Taken in Public Interest Under Service Rules
According to official sources, the compulsory retirement was effected under Fundamental Rule 56(j) read with the relevant provisions of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules. These rules empower the government to retire an officer prematurely in the public interest if it is found that the employee’s continuation in service is detrimental to integrity, efficiency or institutional credibility.
The order reflects the government’s assessment that Radhakrishnan’s conduct no longer met the standards expected of a senior investigating officer in a premier financial probe agency.
Allegations of Compromising High-Profile Investigations
The internal inquiry reportedly concluded that Radhakrishnan had compromised sensitive investigations, particularly the diplomatic baggage gold smuggling case in Kerala, in which he served as an investigating officer. Intelligence reports indicated possible leakage of confidential operational details and alleged acceptance of bribes, raising serious questions about the sanctity of the probe.
Apart from the gold smuggling case, Radhakrishnan was also associated with investigations into the dollar smuggling case and the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) Masala Bonds case, both of which attracted significant political and financial scrutiny.
Controversy Over Alleged Pressure to Implicate Kerala CM
During the investigation of the gold smuggling case, allegations surfaced that accused persons were pressured to implicate Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The controversy intensified in 2020 when an audio clip allegedly featuring prime accused Swapna Suresh entered the public domain.
In the clip, Swapna Suresh claimed that ED officials had coerced her into signing statements under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) falsely implicating the Chief Minister and others.
Radhakrishnan’s Letter and SIT Probe
Following the emergence of the audio clip, Radhakrishnan reportedly wrote to the Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, seeking a thorough inquiry and action against those allegedly responsible for coercion.
The DG of Prisons forwarded the communication to the Kerala Director General of Police (DGP), who subsequently constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations.
Statements by Police Constables and FIR
During the SIT inquiry, two women police constables posted at the facility where the accused were lodged stated that on August 12 and 13, 2020, they had overheard ED officials coercing and persuading the accused to give statements implicating the Chief Minister and other political leaders.
Based on these statements, the Kerala Police registered an FIR against ED officials, a development that sparked intense political and institutional controversy.
FIR Quashed by High Court
Radhakrishnan later approached the Kerala High Court, which eventually quashed the FIR, bringing temporary legal relief to the ED officials involved. However, the episode was widely seen as having tarnished the reputation of the Enforcement Directorate, already under criticism over allegations of political misuse.
Transfers Before Compulsory Retirement
Following the controversy, Radhakrishnan was first transferred out of Kerala to Chennai, and later posted to Kashmir, moves viewed by many as a form of administrative sidelining. The latest decision to compulsorily retire him effectively brings his government service to an abrupt end.
A Rare and Strong Signal
The compulsory retirement of a Deputy Director-level officer is considered an unusual and strong signal within the central services, particularly in a sensitive agency like the ED. Officials familiar with the matter said the decision underscores the government’s intent to act decisively against officers perceived to have undermined institutional integrity and credibility, regardless of rank.
