Latest news with #Pooram
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Thrissur Pooram case: Home secy endorses action against Ajith Kumar
Thiruvananthapuram: Additional chief secretary (home and vigilance) endorsed former state police chief's report recommending action against ADGP M R Ajith Kumar in connection with serious lapses during Thrissur Pooram celebrations, it is reliably learned. The report, prepared by former DGP Sheikh Darvesh Sahib and now forwarded to the chief minister, cites a grave dereliction of duty and recommended disciplinary proceedings against the senior officer. The police chief's report, it is learned, points out that Kumar, the senior-most officer on duty present in Thrissur, failed to act even as tensions escalated during the Pooram in 2024. Despite being alerted by revenue minister K Rajan about an altercation between then Thrissur commissioner Ankit Asok and the Pooram organisers, Kumar reportedly assured that he would review the situation at night and handle it appropriately. However, when the situation deteriorated, the officer allegedly became unreachable. Rajan is learned to have told the inquiry team that Kumar didn't respond to calls made during the peak of the crisis. Govt announced a three-tier investigation into the incident and the current development comes nearly a year after the probe was initiated. The home secretary's endorsement of police chief's findings signals govt's seriousness in acting on the internal report. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Αθήνα: Ζητούνται 200 άτομα για δωρεάν δοκιμή ακουστικού Akoustica Medica Undo Kumar faced multiple controversies during his career. He was appointed as director of vigilance and anti-corruption bureau (VACB) in April 2022 and took charge on April 22. But in May 2022, VACB faced criticism for its handling of the detention of P S Sarith, an accused in the Thiruvananthapuram gold smuggling case. On June 10, 2022, he was removed as vigilance chief. Subsequently, he was appointed as ADGP (protection of civil rights), a newly created post. By Oct 2022, he was reinstated as ADGP (law and order). However, on Oct 6, 2024, govt once again removed him from the post following an adverse report by then DGP Sahib and political pressure from ruling allies, CPI and RJD. The charge of law and order was then handed over to Manoj Abraham, though Kumar continued to head the armed police battalion. On Jan 30, 2025, he was relieved of his additional post as central sports officer. Besides this, Kumar was in the spotlight over other controversies too. He faced a vigilance probe for alleged amassment of wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income. Though an inquiry eventually exonerated him, the episode added to the cloud over his public image. He was then dragged into a controversy over alleged links to a gold smuggling racket — a charge publicly levelled by former MLA P V Anvar — though no official action followed those claims.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Probe team records Gopi's statement
T'puram: Union minister of state and actor Suresh Gopi gave his statement to the special team probing the alleged sabotage of Thrissur Pooram. The statement was recorded in Thiruvananthapuram last week by a team led by city police commissioner and DIG Thomson Jose, who heads the conspiracy probe under the govt-declared three-tier investigation into the incident. It is learnt that according to his statement, Gopi claimed that he reached the venue after being alerted by BJP workers about the disruption at the Pooram. The team is expected to submit its report to the ADGP later this month. The controversy broke out after Gopi, BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Thrissur, arrived at the venue in an ambulance following the unexpected disruption of Pooram festivities. Allegations soon emerged that the event was deliberately derailed to create a sympathy wave in Gopi's favour. Though visuals surfaced showing Gopi stepping out of the ambulance, he initially denied arriving in it, making his current statement crucial for the investigation. The conspiracy angle is now in its final phase of inquiry. Police sources said the Gopi's version that he was informed by party workers and rushed to the spot will be examined for contradictions with other witness accounts. If inconsistencies arise, his statement may be recorded again. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 모공각화증, 자꾸 긁지말고 집에서 '이렇게' 해보세요 현명한소비자 Undo The special team under the crime branch, which reports to the ADGP, is tasked with examining whether the Pooram disruption was part of a political conspiracy. A preliminary report by ADGP M R Ajith Kumar earlier flagged suspicions that Thiruvambady devaswom officials attempted to influence the event in favour of the BJP candidate. This report prompted the state govt to announce a three-tier probe. Earlier, a report by the state police chief pointed to lapses on the part of the ADGP who led the initial probe.
New Indian Express
25-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Pooram row: Kerala government awaits crime branch report to take a call on Ajith Kumar
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After State Police Chief Shaik Darvesh Saheb filed his report on former Law and Order ADGP M R Ajith Kumar's alleged lapses during the 2024 Thrissur Pooram, all eyes are now on the outcome of the crime branch investigation on the conspiracy behind the Pooram fiasco. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had announced a three-tier probe -- one by Shaik, one by the crime branch headed by ADGP H Venkatesh and another by DGP Manoj Abraham -- after the high-level team headed by Shaik had reported lapses from the part of Ajith in Pooram handling. Manoj, who probed the lapses of officials from various departments fielded for Pooram duty, had earlier filed a report with the government. The crime branch investigation, sources said, is nearing completion and a report is expected soon. The State Police Chief's report filed with the government on Monday reportedly carried critical remarks on Ajith acknowledging lapses from him. Despite being in Thrissur, he did not attend the calls of minister K Rajan when the pooram was disrupted. The officer was not present during the night when the untoward incidents unfurled and the report mentioned that the officer did not perform his responsibility. The state government, it's been learnt, will decide on further course of action against Ajith only after perusing the crime branch report. The UDF has been pushing the allegation that the Pooram was sabotaged to give electoral mileage to NDA Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency candidate Suresh Gopi. That the fiasco occurred only days prior to the Lok Sabha poll and Suresh's comfortable win lend further weight to the allegation. Ajith, who was in Thrissur when the unsavoury episode unravelled, was accused of turning a blind eye to the incident.
New Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Kerala police chief files report critical of ADGP Ajith Kumar's conduct
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With only eight days left for his retirement, State Police Chief Shaik Darvesh Saheb, who had probed the allegations against former Law and Order ADGP M R Ajith Kumar in connection with the Thrissur Pooram fiasco, on Monday filed his report with the state government. The report has contents critical of the conduct of the officer, sources said. The report allegedly said there was a lapse from the part of Ajith during the whole episode. Revenue Minister K Rajan had testified before the police chief that when the Pooram faced disruption, he tried to reach Ajith over phone. However, Ajith did not respond. To this, the officer stated before the police chief that he had returned to his room after overseeing all the security preparations. By the time the minister telephoned him, he had fall asleep and hence he did not see the calls. The report said the reply of the officer that he fell asleep showed that he erred in his performing his duties fully. Sources said the report has adverse remarks against the officer, including his meetings with the RSS office-bearers, but it's yet to be known what the general outlook of the full report is. The 2024 Pooram was disrupted allegedly due to police high-handedness precipitating a political row. The fiasco occurred prior to the Lok Sabha polls and there were allegations that the Pooram was sabotaged for political purpose. After NDA candidate Suresh Gopi managed to win the seat, the allegation grew in strength and was endorsed by LDF candidate V S Sunil Kumar and UDF's K Muraleedharan.
New Indian Express
04-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Thrissur Pooram fiasco: Top cop to submit report soon, ADGP refutes charges
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: State Police Chief Shaik Darvesh Saheb, who conducted an inquiry to ascertain whether any lapses by ADGP M R Ajith Kumar led to the disruption of the 2024 Thrissur Pooram, will file his report before the government soon. Shaik, who is set to retire on June 30, will file the report within two weeks, sources said. As part of the probe, he recorded Ajith's statements last week. The ADGP has refuted the allegations of lapses. Sources said he told the police chief that he had ensured all measures for the safe conduct of Pooram and the junior officers failed in their duty to execute the action plan. Sources said Ajith also rejected the accusation that he wilfully chose not to respond to calls made by Minister P Rajan when the Pooram fiasco took place. He said he was in touch with the minister until 10.30pm and after that he went to sleep.
