The Supreme Court on Monday sought a reply from the state government on a plea by former state DGP TP Senkumar, who alleged that his transfer was a case of political vendetta.

The SC has asked to “issue notice and file reply within two weeks.” When the government counsel told the court about media reports which cited lapses on the part of Senkumar in handling the controversial Jisha murder case and Puttingal temple tragedy, the court said that if action was to be taken based on media reports, then no officer will be there in service in the police force.

Senkumar has alleged that the LDF government removed him from the post to stall a probe into murder cases in which CPI (M) leaders were allegedly involved. The officer had appealed against the Kerala High Court’s verdict that had upheld the Central Administrative Tribunal’s order which found no fault in the government’s decision.

Senkumar, however, declined to comment on the SC’s direction. The court has fixed the next hearing for March 27. 

Only a week after the CPI (M) led LDF government came to power, Senkumar was shifted from his post and Loknath Behera was appointed DGP in his place. Senkumar, in a Facebook post after the reshuffle, had indicated his discontent on his transfer. He said that during the last 35 years, he had always kept honesty, integrity and had shown special care for the downtrodden. "I still have all my vertebras intact. I have never appeased anybody for any posting. I have always tried to be impartial and fair", he had said.