Kerala govt issues order suspending ADGP M.R. Ajith Kumar, cites SIT findings of ‘interference' in Youth Congress workers assault probe
The Kerala government has suspended senior IPS officer M.R. Ajith Kumar following findings that he interfered in an investigation regarding the assault of Youth Congress workers. The suspension aims to ensure the fairness of the ongoing probe into police misconduct.
Why it matters
This case highlights issues of political interference in law enforcement and the accountability of high-ranking officials in the Indian administrative system.
A day after approving disciplinary proceedings against senior IPS officer M.R. Ajith Kumar for alleged interference in the probe into the assault of Youth Congress workers in Alappuzha, the Kerala government on Friday (July 24, 2026) formally placed him under suspension, holding that the allegations against him were supported by the statements of multiple investigating officers and that his continuance in service could affect the fairness of the inquiry.
The suspension order pertains to the alleged manhandling of the protestors during the Nava Kerala Sadas outreach programme on December 15, 2023. Mr. Ajith Kumar had been accused of manipulating the probe into the purported excess by members of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s security detail.
Soon after coming into power, the United Democratic Front (UDF) government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by Crime Branch Superintendent of Police A.P. Shoukathali, to conduct further investigation into the case.
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