Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government has suspended senior IPS officer M.R. Ajith Kumar (IPS:1995:KL) after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) alleged that he interfered in the investigation into the assault on Youth Congress and Kerala Students Union (KSU) workers during the Nava Kerala Sadas programme in Alappuzha in December 2023.
The suspension order, issued on July 24, states that the 1995-batch IPS officer influenced the course of the investigation, resulting in a refer report that allegedly enabled the accused to escape prosecution. The action follows a progress report submitted by the SIT, which was constituted by the Kerala Government in May 2026 to reinvestigate the politically sensitive case.
Ajith Kumar, who currently serves as Chairman and Managing Director of the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (BEVCO), has been placed under suspension pending disciplinary proceedings.
Why Was M.R. Ajith Kumar Suspended?
According to the government order, the State Police Chief concluded that the investigation into the assault case was altered because of undue influence allegedly exercised from the office of the then Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), a post held by Ajith Kumar at the time.
The government stated that the investigation was allegedly steered towards filing a refer report, thereby allowing those named in the case to avoid criminal prosecution.
The suspension is based on findings of the SIT, which relied on statements from officers who had earlier investigated the case.
What the SIT Investigation Found
The SIT recorded statements from several police officers associated with the original investigation.
Inspector K.P. Tomson reportedly told investigators that Ajith Kumar, then serving as ADGP (Law and Order), examined the case diary, questioned the direction of the investigation and expressed dissatisfaction with findings that allegedly pointed towards the involvement of members of the then Chief Minister’s security team.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Sunilraj informed the SIT that messages routed through senior officers suggested that the case against the former Chief Minister’s personal security officer should be closed quickly through a refer report.
The SIT also found that two officers attached to the ADGP’s office allegedly performed multiple roles during the investigation, ultimately leading to the filing of the refer report.
Ajith Kumar Denies Allegations
Mr Kumar has denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
In his reply to the government, he maintained that he had not interfered in the investigation in any improper manner. He questioned the SIT’s conclusions and sought copies of relevant documents as well as an opportunity to verify statements recorded from investigating officers before submitting a detailed response.
However, the State Police Chief found his explanation unsatisfactory, following which the government proceeded with his suspension pending disciplinary proceedings.
Background of the Nava Kerala Sadas Assault Case
The case dates back to December 15, 2023, when members of the Youth Congress and KSU alleged that they were assaulted by personnel attached to the security team of the then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan after they waved black flags at the Nava Kerala Sadas convoy in Alappuzha.
At the time, Pinarayi Vijayan had defended the actions of his security personnel, describing them as part of a rescue operation.
The Crime Branch filed a refer report in October 2024, effectively clearing the security personnel. However, the jurisdictional magistrate court rejected the report the following month.
After the change in government in 2026, the SIT reopened the investigation, named five members of the former Chief Minister’s escort team as accused and suspended five police personnel, including Vijayan’s former gunman.
Who is IPS M.R. Ajith Kumar?
Mr Kumar is a 1995-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Kerala cadre who rose to the rank of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) during his career.
An alumnus of the University of Kerala, he joined the IPS in September 1996 and has served in several important operational and administrative assignments over nearly three decades.
He was awarded the Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2012 in recognition of his contributions to policing.
Key Positions Held
Throughout his career, Ajith Kumar has held several senior positions in Kerala Police, including:
• Inspector General of Police (IGP), Thrissur Range
• Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order)
• Additional Director General of Police, Armed Police Battalions
• Excise Commissioner, Kerala
• Chairman and Managing Director, Kerala State Beverages Corporation (BEVCO) (appointed in March 2026)
His appointment as BEVCO CMD came after his tenure as one of Kerala Police’s senior-most officers.
A Major Setback in Career
The suspension marks one of the most significant setbacks in Ajith Kumar’s long policing career.
The disciplinary proceedings will now examine whether he improperly influenced the investigation into the politically sensitive assault case. Pending completion of those proceedings, he will remain under suspension as ordered by the Kerala Government.
