Thiruvananthapuram: In a significant reshuffle at the senior police level, the Kerala government on Thursday transferred seven Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, including some involved in high-profile investigations and internal controversies.
Johnkutty K L Shifted After Controversial Vigilance Probe
Johnkutty K L, who served as Superintendent of Police in the Special Investigation Unit I of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB), has been transferred and posted as SP, Crime Branch, Ernakulam.
He had supervised the inquiry into alleged disproportionate assets of ADGP M R Ajith Kumar. Despite submitting a report that cleared the senior officer – prepared alongside inquiry officer DySP Shibu Pappachan – the Vigilance Court rejected the findings, alleging manipulation and intent to shield the accused officer.
Yogesh Gupta Moved Amid Legal Battle With State
Yogesh Gupta, the current Director General, Fire & Rescue Services, has been appointed as the new Road Safety Commissioner. Gupta is notably involved in a legal battle with the Kerala government before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), alleging that the state withheld a vigilance status report sought by the Union Home Ministry, thereby derailing his prospects for central deputation.
Sujith Das Transferred Again After Suspension and Reinstatement
Sujith Das S, reinstated earlier in 2025 after being suspended in 2024 following serious allegations by former MLA P V Anvar, has now been shifted from SP (Information, Communication and Technology) to Assistant Inspector General of Police (Procurement). Allegations against him included links to gold smuggling and illegal tree felling.
V G Vinodkumar, who briefly served as Pathanamthitta SP and later as AIG (Law & Order), replaces him as SP (ICT). This marks Vinodkumar’s second transfer in just two months.
Other Key Transfers
- Nitin Agrawal, formerly Road Safety Commissioner, has been posted as Director General, Fire & Rescue Services, replacing Yogesh Gupta.
- Gopakumar K S, currently Additional Commissioner of Excise (Admin), has been appointed as AIG, Law & Order.
- Nakul Rajendra Deshmukh, DCP (Law & Order II), Thiruvananthapuram City, has been transferred and posted as Commissioner of Police, Thrissur City.
