CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has come down on top IPS officer Chaitra Teresa John who raided the party’s district office in Thiruvananthapuram last week. Calling it a publicity stunt, Kodiyeri, speaking at an event in Kannur, said “If the raid was lawful, at least one accused should have been caught. Not even one was caught, then why did the officer conduct that raid. That there were some ulterior motives and the raid was done for publicity is very clear.”
Chaitra Teresa John was given additional responsibilities as DCP Law and Order as officer R Aditya, who was holding the charge was on duty at the Sabarimala temple. On January 24 night, Chaitra raided the CPI(M) district officer in Thiruvananthapuram. This after some DYFI workers - CPI(M)’s youth wing -created a ruckus at the medical college police station in the city, the previous day. The DYFI workers had visited the police station to meet two persons who were accused in POCSO case (Prevention of Children from Sexual offences). When the officers at the medical college station refused to allow them, an altercation ensued with the DYFI worker pelting stones at the station.
Following this incident, Chaitra Teresa decided to raid the office based on a tip-off she received. However, the raid was unsuccessful as none of the accused were caught from the office.
The officer was subsequently summoned to the Chief Minister’s officer, discharged of her additional duties and transferred back to the women’s cell.
A report submitted by DGP Loknath Behera and ADGP Manoj Abraham after a probe on the IPS officer’s actions cleared her of all charges, stating that conducting the raid was well within her power. However, brushing aside this report, Kodiyeri argued that the officer only had additional responsibilities and that the officer acted beyond the law which is why the government has not supported her.
Earlier this week, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had also justified action against Chaitra Teresa John, stating that political leaders had to be respected, which was most often not the case. He also said that action against the officer will be taken as a responsible party leader had filed a complaint which has to be taken seriously.