Serious allegations made by LDF MLA PV Anvar against senior IPS officers have intensified the political turmoil in Kerala, as Anvar met with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to discuss his claims. On the other hand, the opposition has called for a probe by central agencies into the allegations.
The controversy erupted after a leaked phone conversation between Anvar and a Superintendent of Police surfaced, raising questions about the possible criminal nexus involving high-ranking police officials. Anvar, a Nilambur legislator, accused ADGP (Law and Order) Ajithkumar of phone tapping, connections with gold smuggling rackets, and involvement in other serious crimes. He also implicated Pathanamthitta SP Sujith Das and Vijayan’s political secretary, P Sasi, accusing them of breaching trust and failing to uphold their duties, as reported by The News Minute.
Anvar further alleged that Ajithkumar played a role in exonerating Congress politicians, including KC Venugopal, from the Solar Scam, and claimed that a gang linked to Ajithkumar was involved in the murder of Ridan Basil, who was found dead with bullet wounds in April 2023. Basil was allegedly connected to gold and drug smuggling networks.
Anvar's Meeting With Chief Minister
Against this backdrop, Anvar met CM Vijayan which lasted nearly an hour. During the meet, Anvar submitted a written complaint detailing his allegations. He expressed confidence that the CM would ensure a thorough and honest investigation. "I met the CM, gave my complaint in writing to him and explained the whole issue in detail. He (CM) heard me out and I am confident that a thorough and honest investigation will be carried out. I will give a copy of this complaint to CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan also."
"With this my role as a party comrade in the ṁatter is over. Now my responsibility is to cooperate with the investigation," he said, in a statement, as reported by PTI.
While Anvar made scathing allegations against ADGP Ajithkumar, he clarified that he was not demanding the resignation of the senior officer or the CM's political secretary, stating, "The party and the CM will decide what has to be done."
State Government Orders High-Level Probe
In response to the controversy, the Kerala government formed a high-level team led by State Police Chief Shaik Darvesh Saheb to investigate Anvar’s complaint and a counter-complaint by ADGP Ajithkumar. However, this move has been dismissed as a “farce” by the opposition Congress-led UDF and the BJP, who have accused the government of trying to protect those involved.
Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan called for a CBI probe into the allegations, claiming that the charges implicate the CM’s office directly. BJP state president K Surendran and party leader Sobha Surendran echoed the demand, insisting that central agencies should investigate the matter.