Kerala’s ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) has dealt the first blow to DGP TP Senkumar within a week of him being reinstated to the post.
On Friday, the Pinarayi-led government annulled an order that Senkumar had issued on May 9, transferring junior superintendent Kumari Beena. The state government has also reportedly cautioned the DGP against raking up controversies. Media reports suggest that the ruling LDF has asked Senkumar to take decisions after consulting the government. The move to annul the order comes on the back of a prolonged standoff between Senkumar and the Kerala government.
By annulling the transfer order, the government has confirmed that Kumari Beena will continue in the post. The state government issued the directive after DGP Senkumar met Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday to apprise him about the circumstances under which the transfer order was issued.
On May 9, junior superintendent at the Confidential Section Kumari Beena was transferred out of the department just eleven months after she was posted. The officer on Wednesday filed a complaint with the government, writing a letter to the Additional Chief Secretary.
In her complaint, Kumari Beena alleged that the DGP was acting in vengeance as she had legally denied him answers to an RTI application that Senkumar had filed. The RTI queries pertained to the sensational Puttingal temple tragedy and the Jisha murder case that formed the basis on which the CPI (M)-led Pinarayi government had replaced Senkumar in May last year.
While Senkumar was shunted out just days after the Pinarayi government assumed power, the senior police official challenged his removal by taking the battle to court. On April 24, the Supreme Court ordered the Kerala government to reinstate the officer after finding the government's reasons for replacing Senkumar unconvincing.
When Senkumar reassumed his post on Saturday, several media reports had speculated about an open standoff between the senior police official and the government. However, the DGP dismissed the reports, telling the media "not to expect a confrontation with the state government."