With the Kevin murder case hogging the limelight in Kerala, reports suggest that the government is examining the possibility of dismissing the police officers who are accused of laxity in the case.
The Chief Minister's Office told TNM that "the government would take all possible legal action possible against the police personnel."
When asked if it means dismissal, it said that everything is there in the response. If they are indeed sacked, it would be a welcome move, which would serve as a stringent warning for the police force. The lapses on the part of the police have put the government on the defensive several times.
The stern action being contemplated comes against the backdrop of serious criticism the government has been facing. It is believed that their laxity has tainted the image of the police force as a whole. It is reported that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has directed Home Secretary Subrata Biswas to examine the legal aspect.
The police personnel who showed apathy to the missing person complaint filed by Kevin’s family, have been facing the heat for not acting on it. Sub Inspector Shibu, the Additional SI Biju and the driver of the police vehicle, Ajayakumar, attached to the Gandhi Nagar police station in Kottayam, have been suspended in connection with the incident. Biju and Ajayakumar were arrested and are out on bail now.
Aneesh, relative of Kevin, reportedly gave a statement against Shibu. Shibu had summoned Kevin and his wife Neenu to the Gandhi Nagar police station and allowed her parents to take her away, Aneesh had said.
Shibu is also accused of refusing to act on the missing complaint by Kevin's father Joseph and Neenu. Kevin's relatives had told TNM that the SI made them wait for hours at the police station, saying that they were busy arranging security for the CM who was in Kottayam on that day.
Kevin and Aneesh were kidnapped, after the house of Kevin's maternal grandparents at Mannanam in Kottayam was vandalised in the wee hours of May 27, by Neenu's brother Shanu Chacko and a gang of people. Aneesh was let off, while Kevin's body was found in a swamp near Thenmala in Kollam the next day.
Biju and Ajayakumar were part of the police patrolling team that found Shanu, the key accused and others traveling to Mannanam to abduct Kevin. Further, although they suspected them, they let them go after taking a bribe.
Even former Kottayam SP Mohammed Rafeeq was accused of misguiding the CM in the case, though he clarified later that none of his juniors told him what was happening.
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