Kerala govt issues order suspending ADGP M.R. Ajith Kumar, cites SIT findings of ‘interference' in Youth Congress workers assault probe
A day after approving disciplinary proceedings against senior IPS officer M.R. Ajith Kumar for alleged interference in the probe into the assault of Youth Congress
A day after approving disciplinary proceedings against senior IPS officer M.R. Ajith Kumar for alleged interference in the probe into the assault of Youth Congress workers in Alappuzha, the Kerala government on Friday (July 24, 2026) formally placed him under suspension, holding that the allegations against him were supported by the statements of multiple investigating officers and that his continuance in service could affect the fairness of the inquiry. The suspension order pertains to the alleged manhandling of the protestors during the Nava Kerala Sadas outreach programme on December 15, 2023. Ajith Kumar had been accused of manipulating the probe into the purported excess by members of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s security detail. Soon after coming into power, the United Democratic Front (UDF) government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by Crime Branch Superintendent of Police A.P. Shoukathali, to conduct further investigation into the case. Five police personnel, including two members of the then Chief Minister’s security team, were suspended two months ago based on the SIT’s preliminary report. According to the suspension order, State Police Chief (SPC) Ravada A. Chandrasekhar reported that the SIT found that the course of the original investigation had been altered due to “undue influence” from the office of Mr. Ajith Kumar, who was then Additional Director General of Police (ADGP - Law and Order).
The report alleged that the intervention influenced the investigation in a manner that ultimately resulted in the filing of a refer report, thereby enabling the accused to escape legal action. The order notes that the statements recorded by the SIT from former investigating officers, Inspector K.P. Tomson and Deputy Superintendents of Police Arun K.S. and Sunilraj, consistently alleged that they were subjected to pressure during the investigation. Tomson told the SIT that the ADGP “examined the case diary, expressed dissatisfaction with the direction of the investigation and questioned the findings recorded therein, especially the conclusion indicating the involvement of members of the Chief Minister’s security and escort team in the incident”. The statements of Mr. Arun and Mr. Sunilraj were said to describe similar intervention. The latter also referred to communications indicating that the case involving the former Chief Minister’s personal security officer should be referred without delay, suggesting attempts to influence the outcome of the investigation. The SIT further alleged that Grade Sub-Inspector Gireesh and Sub-Inspector Sreekanth, both attached to the office of the then ADGP (Law and Order), played multiple roles in the investigation process that culminated in the filing of the refer report prepared on the alleged assault of protestors.
The BriefWire