Crime Branch to probe former Kerala DGP Senkumar's ‘Love Jihad’ statement

The Crime Branch on Wednesday has initiated a probe against former DGP TP Senkumar based on the complaints received by DGP Loknath Behera that the former has made anti-minority statements.

“The DGP has received complaints against the former DGP’s remarks, subsequent to which a probe was initiated. But no case has been registered, neither have any charges have been framed. The investigation is in the preliminary level. ADGP Agarwal has been assigned to head the probe,” a source confirmed.

In a recent interview to the Malayalam weekly Samakalika Malayalam, Senkumar reportedly said that ‘Love Jihad’ was happening in Kerala. He has also said that the Muslim population in the state has been showing a growth trend.

While the former DGP denied making the statement against the entire Muslim community, his interview has triggered a massive controversy in the state.

“Love Jihad does exist in the state and it is for people of the Muslim community to come against it and they are doing it. I have never said that Love Jihad was by the people of the Muslim community. My remarks were not against them, but that Love Jihad activities were operated by the Islamic State,” Senkumar earlier told TNM.

Senkumar also blamed the interviewer for ‘misinterpreting facts.’ PS Ramshad, however, said that he had recorded all the statements made by Senkumar. “He has known me for the past several years. I had written stories using his quotes in the past too. Nothing in the interview was distorted, I have written whatever he had told me,” the interviewer said.

The interview was published just days after his retirement on June 30. At least eight organisations have filed complaints against Senkumar with the current DGP, Loknath Behera, and it was reported that the DGP has sought legal advice on the issue.

The former top cop's statements in the interview have also led to widespread protests, and many have called him as a Sanghi. Senkumar’s attendance of a programme organised by RSS mouthpiece Janmabhumi has only added fodder to the allegations that he has a pro-RSS agenda.

Senkumar has a history of antagonism with the Kerala state government. Days after the Left Democratic Front government assumed power in May 2016, Senkumar was removed from the post of DGP. He later approached the Supreme Court against the government’s decision to remove him, and won the case after a 11-month long legal battle. The government was then forced to reinstate him as the state police chief.