Kochi: The Kerala government has informed the Kerala High Court that a Vigilance investigation is not warranted for the time being against DGP S. Sreejith, a 1996-batch IPS officer of the Kerala cadre, in connection with a complaint alleging that he travelled to Dubai without the required permission and attended the inauguration of a private enterprise while wearing his police uniform.
The submission was made by Minhaj Alam, 1996-batch IAS officer of the Kerala-cadre and Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Vigilance Department, who appeared before Justice A. Badharudeen on Thursday.
Complaint Filed Over Foreign Visit
The case stems from a petition filed by Dipin Edavana, an Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector from Kannur, seeking a Vigilance inquiry into allegations against Sreejith.
According to the court record and subsequent proceedings, the complaint alleged that Sreejith:
- Travelled to Dubai while on casual leave without obtaining permission to go abroad.
- Attended the inauguration of a private enterprise there.
- Was allegedly wearing his police uniform during the event.
- Was alleged by the complainant to have a connection with the enterprise.
The allegations remain allegations; the latest government submission was that a Vigilance investigation was not warranted at this stage.
High Court Had Ordered Fresh Consideration
The dispute over the handling of the complaint had earlier reached the Kerala High Court.
In July, Justice A. Badharudeen set aside an earlier compliance report after finding that the complainant had not been provided a fair opportunity to present his case independently. The court directed the Additional Chief Secretary to hear Edavana in the absence of Sreejith and take a fresh decision on the complaint.
The court had also directed the department to consider a separate report submitted by the Director of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau.
Dispute Over Earlier Hearing
The complainant had declined to attend a hearing scheduled for April 20, stating that he understood it to be a joint hearing involving Sreejith.
An earlier departmental report had subsequently stated that Edavana had failed to cooperate with the process and had made allegations described as false and vexatious.
The High Court, however, found that the earlier proceedings had involved a joint hearing and held that such a process did not provide the complainant with a fair opportunity to present allegations against the officer concerned.
Additional Chief Secretary Appears Before Court
The High Court had on August 18 directed Minhaj Alam to appear personally after the government sought additional time to comply with the earlier direction.
Appearing before the court on August 20, Alam informed the bench that the direction had since been complied with and that an order had been issued concluding that a Vigilance investigation was not warranted for the time being.
The court subsequently closed the petition, while preserving Edavana’s liberty to pursue further remedies available to him in accordance with law.
About S. Sreejith
S. Sreejith is a 1996-batch IPS officer of the Kerala cadre. He joined the IPS in September 1996 after completing a BSc in Mathematics. During his career, he has held several assignments in district policing, Crime Branch, intelligence, police training, transport administration and correctional services. He was promoted to the rank of Director General of Police in July 2026.
About Minhaj Alam
Minhaj Alam is a 1996-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre. He has held several administrative positions in Kerala and on central deputation, including roles in revenue, health, finance and food processing. He currently serves as Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Vigilance Department, Kerala.
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