Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government on Friday promoted Suresh Rajpurohit (IPS:1996:KL) and S. Sreejith (IPS:1996:KL) to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) following the retirement of Nitin Agrawal (IPS:1989:KL) as Director General of Kerala Fire and Rescue Services.
The promotions were implemented soon after the vacancy arose in the DGP rank, triggering a series of senior-level appointments in the state’s police and administrative setup.
S. Sreejith Elevated Despite Pending Legal Controversy
Director General of Prisons & Correctional Services S. Sreejith has been promoted to the DGP rank despite the recent controversy surrounding allegations that he travelled abroad without obtaining prior government permission during his tenure as an Additional Director General of Police (ADGP).
The promotion comes days after the Kerala High Court quashed the clean chit earlier granted to him in the matter and ordered a fresh consideration of the complaint.
Read Also: Kerala HC Quashes Clean Chit to ADGP S. Sreejith Over Foreign Trip Without Permission
Despite the promotion, Sreejith will continue to serve as the Director General of Prisons & Correctional Services.
According to reports, the State Government is expected to inform the Kerala High Court about the promotion.
Suspension of Ajith Kumar Changed Succession
Sreejith’s elevation also follows the suspension of M.R. Ajith Kumar (IPS:1995:KL), who had earlier been considered the frontrunner for promotion to the DGP rank.
With Ajith Kumar under suspension and Suresh Rajpurohit still serving on Central deputation, Sreejith became eligible for promotion based on seniority.
Suresh Rajpurohit Also Promoted
The State Government simultaneously promoted Suresh Rajpurohit, another 1996-batch Kerala cadre IPS officer, to the rank of Director General of Police.
Rajpurohit is presently serving on Central deputation and has not yet returned to Kerala.
Yogesh Gupta Appointed Bevco CMD
In another significant administrative decision, senior IPS officer Yogesh Gupta (IPS:1993:KL) has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco).
Gupta replaces the vacancy created following the suspension of M.R. Ajith Kumar.
He had previously served as Bevco CMD and is widely credited with improving the corporation’s financial performance during his earlier tenure.
Balram Kumar Upadhyay Named Fire Force Chief
The government has also appointed Balram Kumar Upadhyay (IPS:1996:KL) as the Director General of Kerala Fire and Rescue Services, succeeding Nitin Agrawal, who retired on Friday.
The appointments complete the latest round of senior-level reshuffle in Kerala’s police leadership.
