THRISSUR: The Thrissur Vigilance Court on Friday ordered to file an FIR and to initiate a probe against Kerala Police Academy IG Suresh Raj Purohit and the sub inspector of Viyyur police station, in the case related to the former's minor son driving official police vehicles within the KEPA campus.
“Both the respondents have misused their power and authority. The expenses for the police vehicles are borne by the government. The action of the IG has thus caused a loss to the public exchequer.
“The Viyyur police station SI has been included as a respondent as the police officer refused to take action on a cognizable offence that took place in his circle,” complainant K T Benny from Kumaranellur, represented by advocate Anish C V, said.
Videos purportedly showing the same had surfaced in the previous week. Vigilance Special Judge and Inquiry Commissioner S S Vassan directed that the complaint be forwarded to the VACB Director, Thiruvananthapuram, under CrPC 156(3). A report on the same should be submitted by April 24, the court held.
“A prominent media house had printed the news of the IG's minor son driving a police vehicle, with photo, on the front page. The IG, the second respondent, gave consent to his minor son to drive the official vehicle. The action is punishable under the Motor Vehicles Act 3(1). The SI, the first respondent, has not only failed to take action, but has also tried to shield his superior from criminal offences.
The action of the second respondent is punishable under IPC 109, the Juvenile Justice Act 2B and the Motor Vehicles Act Section 5.
The government has suffered losses because of the action of the IG and this has also caused a depreciation of the vehicle, which is punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act 13(d) (2), (3),” the petitioner argued.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala had also ordered a probe into the incident. The incident was caught on camera by personnel from the Police Academy.
The videos, which surfaced on Tuesday, had earned widespread flak in the social media, drawing comparisons to the incident in which controversial business tycoon Mohammed Nisham videographed his minor son driving a Ferrari. The police had then booked the business tycoon under the Juvenile Justice Act and Motor Vehicles Act.