Kerala Cabinet to decide on new State Police Chief on Monday

The State Cabinet is set to decide on the next State Police Chief during a special meeting on Monday. The final decision will be made from a shortlist of three senior police officers, Nitin Agrawal, Ravada A. Chandrashekhar, and Yogesh Gupta, who have been recommended by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Having generated considerable anticipation, the race for the top position is reportedly tipped in favour of Mr. Chandrasekhar.

Koothuparamba firing

The officer, who is currently Special Director at the Intelligence Bureau, expressed his interest in the position during a recent meeting with the Chief Minister. However, his appointment may face political opposition, considering his involvement in the Koothuparamba firing incident in 1994, in which five Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) activists were killed and six injured.

The subject could become a delicate issue for the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], despite the Kerala High Court having had quashed the murder charges framed against him and other officials in 2012.

The government also explored the possibility of appointing an officer from outside the UPSC’s shortlisted list like Director General of Police (DGP) Manoj Abraham or Additional DGP M.R. Ajith Kumar. But, the idea has been generally discouraged, considering the legal implications and judicial scrutiny such a decision could invite.

The incumbent State Police Chief Shaik Darvesh Saheb will retire on Monday after two years in office. His farewell parade will be held at the Special Armed Police (SAP) parade ground in Thiruvananthapuram, followed by an official farewell ceremony at the State Police Headquarters.

Laurels for officers

On Sunday, Mr. Saheb presented the Badge of Honour and Commendation Discs for outstanding contributions at a ceremony held here.

As many as 219 police officers were honoured for excelling in various aspects, including case investigation, law and order management, intelligence gathering, administration, human trafficking control, traffic regulation, training, cybercrime prevention, fingerprint collection, social policing, railway police and coastal police.

While 164 officers were awarded the Badge of Honour, 49 others from the Armed Police Battalion received Commendation Discs. Additionally, six officers from the ministerial category received Commendation Certificates.