Thiruvananthapuram: Senior IPS officer Yogesh Gupta (IPS: 1993:KL), currently serving as Director General of Fire and Rescue Services, has moved the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) alleging deliberate obstruction by the Kerala government in his career advancement at the national level.
Allegations of Withheld Vigilance Clearance for Central Empanelment
Mr Gupta, who is also the president of the Kerala IPS Association, claimed that the state government withheld a crucial vigilance clearance report sought by the Union Home Ministry. This clearance is mandatory for his empanelment to a Central government post.
According to Gupta’s petition, the Home Ministry made nine separate requests via letters and emails since April, but the Kerala government allegedly failed to provide the required report. While the State Police Chief, S Sheikh Darvesh Sahib, submitted a favorable note in May to Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak, the government allegedly did not forward it to the Union Home Ministry in Delhi.
Repeated Representations and RTI Rejections Ignored
Despite multiple representations, including a complaint through the Chief Minister’s Grievance Redressal Portal, Gupta said his requests were ignored. Furthermore, an RTI application filed by him to obtain a copy of the vigilance report was reportedly rejected by the state authorities.
In his CAT petition, Gupta has demanded strict disciplinary action and penalties against officials responsible for the delay, describing the state government’s conduct as a “willful attempt to ruin” his career.
Background: Strained Relations with Kerala Government
The case highlights the strained relationship between Gupta and the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government. Once considered a trusted officer, Gupta’s stature reportedly declined after he, as Vigilance Chief, directly submitted case files against the Chief Minister’s aide KM Abraham to the Kerala High Court, prompting a CBI investigation.
Although Abraham later obtained a Supreme Court stay on the probe, Gupta was removed from his post at the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau and transferred to the relatively less influential Fire and Rescue Services department.
Impact on Career Prospects
Since the transfer, Gupta has held less prominent positions and continues to face uncertainties regarding his empanelment for Central postings. The ongoing dispute with the state government appears to be a major hurdle in his professional advancement.
