DGP seeks action against his former colleague

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Police have initiated action against their former director general in a case related to a millionaire businessman who allegedly rammed his vehicle into a security guard in Thrisur city.

The move came after an audio CD was released on Friday by the Kerala government's chief whip P.C. George, making the current Director General of Police (DGP) K.S. Balasubramanian to seek action against his former colleague M.N. Krishnamurthy, who retired last month.

The CD, released at a press conference here, revealed a conversation between Krishnamurthy and Jacob Job, the suspended superintendent of police (SP). The two were heard discussing about the sensational case in which a probe is being conducted.

In the case, Muhammed Nizam, a millionaire businessman, is said to have first assaulted a security guard and later rammed his luxury vehicle into him at a posh villa complex.

The guard died of his injuries a few days later at a hospital.

In the recorded talk, according to George, the retired DGP is heard speaking on behalf of Balasubramanian, the current DGP, in an effort to save the businessman from the legal consequences of his actions.

Speaking to IANS, Balasubramanian said action against the former DGP has been initiated. "I have submitted a report to this effect to the government. The government has also begun steps to take it forward."

Asked if he suspects a conspiracy, the DGP smiled and said, "You can come to your own conclusions."

He added that Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala have already come out with their statements, absolving him of any wrong doing.

Both Chandy and Chennithala have said there could be a conspiracy behind this.

Job was first transferred from his post of superintendent of police at Thrissur where the murder occurred and was later suspended after being found closeted with the millionaire businessman (Nisham) for over an hour without any police official who was part of the probe team.

Job is known to be close to the Kerala Congress (Mani), the party of George.

Kerala Police have been rocked by these actions, as there have always been tensions between the top officials. This is perhaps the first instance in recent times when it has surfaced in the open.

Incidentally, the decision of Balasubramanian to take this up very strongly with the government has appeared to come as a blow to Krishnamurthy, who retired on February 28 and was all set to get a post-retirement post.

All eyes are now on how the Left opposition is going to take this up as the budget session of the Kerala assembly is currently on.

That is why Chandy said that he suspects that the audio-CD revelation is part of a larger game plan to defame his government.

But the irrepressible George has threatened to reveal more about Balasubramanian in the days to come.