Kerala: Tensions within the Indian Police Service (IPS) in Kerala have intensified as Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) – Intelligence, P Vijayan, has reportedly called for action against ADGP-armed police battalions, M R Ajithkumar, following a defamatory statement accusing Vijayan of links to gold smuggling rackets.
Vijayan, an IPS officer of the 1999 batch, is said to have submitted a formal representation to the state police chief, who has forwarded the complaint to the home department for further action. The controversy stems from Ajithkumar’s allegations that Vijayan was involved in gold smuggling activities, a claim that has sparked a bitter feud between the two senior officers.
Ajithkumar, an officer of the 1995 batch, has faced multiple inquiries over various allegations. He recently found himself embroiled in controversy after his remarks about Vijayan’s alleged ties to gold smuggling surfaced. Ajithkumar was previously caught in a scandal after a meeting with senior RSS leaders, leading to his transfer.
Vijayan, too, has a history of controversy. He was once suspended on charges of leaking information to the media regarding the transit of a key accused in the Kozhikode train arson case. An inquiry was conducted, but Vijayan was exonerated after a detailed investigation.
The current dispute adds to a string of controversies surrounding both officers. Ajithkumar’s earlier inquiry into the disruption during the Thrissur Pooram festival also caused an uproar. His report suggested that the Thiruvambady devaswom, one of the organisers, deliberately created issues at the event. However, this report was later rejected by the state police chief, who cited significant shortcomings. A three-level inquiry was then ordered into the matter.
The infighting comes at a politically sensitive time, just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, with opposition parties attempting to leverage the situation to stoke anti-government sentiments.
