Kerala police chief removed from post

Additional Director General of Police Sudesh Kumar, the chief of the Kerala armed police battalion, was removed from his post yesterday following complaints of bad behaviour and violation of rules by him and his family members.

Kumar and his family have been in the dock since Thursday when allegations surfaced that his daughter and wife misbehaved with the driver of Kumar’s official vehicle — policeman Gavaskar.

Kumar’s daughter Snigdha started abusing Gavaskar and hit him. The injured policeman is now being treated in the Medical College hospital.

Media pressure

With the media taking up the issue, and Gavaskar’s wife approaching Chief Minister Vijayan with a complaint of constant harassment meted out to her husband by the Kumar family, Vijayan said on Friday that tough action will be taken.

After a probe, Vijayan’s office yesterday decided to remove Kumar from his post.

According to sources, Kumar will be posted in a non-policing job. Besides, more departmental action is also likely to be initiated.

On Saturday, a delegation of the representatives of the police bodies called upon Kerala Police chief Loknath Behera.

It was decided in the meeting to set up an association where policemen with grievances against the way they are being treated by their superiors can complain.

Behra also told them that the Crime Branch will conduct a detailed probe into what happened between Gavaskar and Kumar’s daughter.

Meanwhile, more complaints have surfaced about the manner in which Kumar and his family behaved with the orderlies in their house and treated them very badly.