THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After a legal battle which lasted almost a year, former DGP T P Senkumar, with just two months left in his tenure, has left the decision on becoming the police chief to the State government.
"I am happy with the verdict. Let the government take a decision on my reinstatement. I had done my job with utmost sincerity. It's not only my victory, but one for all the police officials in the country," Senkumar told media on Monday following the Supreme Court's verdict on re-instating him as State police chief.
Senkumar also thanked lawyers Haris Beeran and Prasanth Bhushan for his "legal triumph". "In fact, they did not demand any fee from me and were confident of a victory," he said.
He also pointed out that the State government had forged three files to counter him in court and he will take a decision on it soon.
Meanwhile, present Kerala DGP Lokanath Behera, who succeeded Senkumar and may now be transferred said, "I'm a government servant. Transfers and all these are all routine things. I have no comment on the SC order."
Former chief minister Oomen Chandy welcomed the decision, while speaking to reporters in Nileshwaram, Kasargod district, and said T P Senkumar, who was “arbitrarily" removed by the LDF government "has got justice."
Chandy said the apex court took into consideration all sides before ordering the reinstatement. "Senkumar is a good officer. The verdict is a big blow to the government," he said.
Senkumar was removed from the post in June 2016 by the LDF government, a week after assuming office, citing lapses in his probe of the Puttingal fire tragedy and Jisha murder case.
He approached the Supreme Court after failing to get a favourable order from the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT).