Kochi, August 3, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Kerala High Court on Monday questioned the state government’s decision to promote IPS officer S. Sreejith to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) while corruption-related allegations against him remain pending.
Justice A. Badharudeen observed orally that the government should have obtained fresh vigilance clearance before approving the promotion, particularly when two separate allegations against the officer are still under consideration.
The court was hearing a petition related to alleged irregularities in the appointment of bodybuilders Shinu Chovva and Chitharesh Natesan as police inspectors. During the hearing, the court questioned the urgency behind promoting an officer facing pending allegations.
“You have sought time repeatedly to consider sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Then why the hurry to promote an officer against whom allegations are pending?” the court observed.
The court noted that vigilance clearance is a mandatory requirement for promotion from the post of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) to DGP and said the absence of fresh clearance made the decision appear hasty.
Earlier, the High Court had directed the Additional Chief Secretary to consider granting sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act for an inquiry into the allegations against Sreejith.
The court had also recently set aside a report that gave a clean chit to Sreejith over allegations that he undertook an unauthorised foreign trip to Dubai to attend the inauguration of a private business establishment while serving as an ADGP.
During Monday’s proceedings, the state government sought two weeks’ time to decide on the sanction. The court rejected the request and directed the Additional Chief Secretary to take a decision by August 10, warning that failure to comply could lead to adverse remarks.
The state government had recently promoted Sreejith, who is currently serving as Prisons Chief, to the rank of DGP. He will continue to head the Prisons Department despite the promotion.
The promotion followed the suspension of ADGP M.R. Ajith Kumar over allegations linked to attempts to derail an investigation into the gunmen deployment episode during the previous LDF government’s Nava Kerala Sadas programme.
The court clarified that the legality of Sreejith’s promotion was not under consideration in the present proceedings. It said any challenge over violation of prescribed rules or procedures would have to be raised separately before the appropriate forum.
The matter will be heard again on August 10.
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