‘Headquarters of irregularities’ need a revamp

T P Senkumar who retired as the Kerala police chief, had revealed to the media during his farewell speech at the police ground in Thiruvananthapuram that extremely shameful things were happening at the police headquarters.

The revelations of the senior officers who use uncivilized language, engage in infights, allegations and counter allegations failing even the local criminal gangs, cannot be ignored as mere sentimental remarks of megalomaniacs. Several of Senkumar’s accusations trigger distrust in the law and order system of Kerala and necessitates a serious and blatant investigation (not of the police). This is because the information he revealed are criminal offences committed by senior officials themselves like forging and stealing official documents. The allegations of the former DGP that the running of the government machinery was in the hands of thieves and criminals cannot be trivialized as vengeful remarks. It’s a genuine and proper document that clearly takes the names of individuals and the nature of crimes committed and is unlike any long-winded and verbose biographies. And if it’s false, the government should be vigilant and initiate necessary steps to regain the reputation of the government as well as the police force and to prevent such heinous allegations from surfacing.

One of the main accusations raised by T P Senkumar was about ADGP Tomin Thachankary. That Thachankary made unauthorised interventions lifting many vital documents from the highly confidential T branch is not trivial like the statements of mockeries regarding the presence of more criminals in the police department or the government appointing a butcher instead of a neurosurgeon when there was a need. Especially, in circumstances when the smuggled files that contain corruption allegations against Thachankary himself had the potential to weaken the existing cases. Senkumar demanded registering a case against Thachankary under the Official Secrets Act and firmly says that he was ready to provide the necessary evidences if demanded by the court. Another important allegation was against Chief Secretary Nalini Netto for tampering with three files when she was the Additional Secretary, Home department in order to oust Senkumar from the post of state police chief. He also hints about initiating legal action against Netto.

Vigilance Additional Director had during the last week of August 2016 submitted a report demanding suspension of Thachankary over grave irregularities. Despite the serious allegations against him, Pinarayi Vijayan government posted him as the ADGP at the police headquarters to keep a tab on Senkumar who reclaimed his position as the DGP through a Supreme Court verdict. Thachankary is accused of misusing his position by lifting twenty files from the T branch. The High Court Division bench recently expressed displeasure over an affidavit filed by the state government on the appointment of Thachankary as ADGP. The actions of the Chief Secretary is also a result of the moves in the Supreme Court for the government.

The inside stories of law-breaching executed for those in power are what is being brought to light due to the due to the infightings in the official departments. Senkumar had said that the number of criminals in the higher posts in the Indian Police Service was more than 4 per cent. The confession statement later is an answer to how high-profile cases in Kerala are diluted as well as how innocents become the culprits. Former DGP Senkumar’s controversial remarks reinforce the public belief that sabotage of laws has been continuing relentlessly by the bureaucrats, politicians and officials. The Pinarayi Vijayan government will have to initiate massive rejig to ensure transparency in police governance. The revelations and controversies set off by Senkumar has undermined the moral courage and determination to carry it out.