THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Indicating a realignment of power equations in the top echelons of the police, the state government on Tuesday appointed ADGP P Vijayan as the new head of the intelligence wing. A 1999-batch IPS officer, Vijayan replaces Manoj Abraham, who has been posted as Law and Order ADGP.
Vijayan’s appointment to the influential post comes as a surprise. He was suspended by the state government in May last year on the basis of a report filed by then Law and Order ADGP M R Ajith Kumar. In his report, Ajith Kumar alleged that Vijayan, the then chief of the Anti-Terrorist Squad, had leaked the transportation details of the accused in the Elathur train arson case.
The accused, Shahrukh Saifi, was apprehended from Rathnagiri in Maharashtra and was brought to Kozhikode by road. The allegation against Vijayan was that he leaked to the media the travel plan of the police team that brought Saifi back to the state. Vijayan was placed on suspension following the report of Ajith Kumar, who had connections within the force and the government.
Vijayan had to remain out of action for six months before he was taken back on the basis of the recommendation of the chief secretary. He was soon promoted to the rank of ADGP and appointed director of Kerala Police Academy. Ironically, it was the downfall of Ajith Kumar that paved way for Vijayan’s ascension to the coveted post, which seemed unthinkable a few days ago.
‘Vijayan’s experience as DIG Intelligence also taken into consideration’
Following the police rejig in the wake of MLA P V Anvar’s allegations, the state government gave Manoj Abraham the Law and Order charge, in place of Ajith Kumar, who was shunted to the Armed Battalion.
The government was scurrying to find a replacement for Manoj, but its options were limited due to the dearth of ADGPs.
Several officers such as Prisons Director Balram Kumar Upadhyay and Headquarters ADGP S Sreejith were under consideration, but the CMO finally decided to appoint Vijayan as the next intelligence chief.
Sources said the fact that Vijayan is a Keralite and the rapport he maintained with key political leaders of the ruling dispensation despite the recent blip in his career were considered while appointing him.
His experience working as DIG Intelligence was also taken into consideration by the CMO, the source said.
A native of Kozhikode, Vijayan had previously worked as commissioner in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode and Ernakulam.