Suspension of ADGP Ajithkumar extended by 120 days

The Keralam government has extended the suspension of Additional Director General of Police M. R. Ajithkumar by another 120 days in connection with alleged police atrocities during the Nava Kerala Sadas programme against Youth Congress workers, officials said on Saturday.

Mr. Ajithkumar, a 1995-batch IPS officer, was placed under suspension on July 24 based on the findings of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to probe a case registered at Alappuzha South police station over alleged police atrocities during the Nava Kerala Sadas programme in 2023.

The Suspension Review Committee examined his case on September 15 and found no grounds to revoke the suspension at present. It recommended extending the suspension for a further 120 days.

The government accepted the committee’s recommendation, officials said.

Mr. Ajithkumar was suspended pending disciplinary proceedings over allegations that he interfered with the investigation into the assault on Youth Congress workers during the Nava Kerala Sadas outreach programme led by then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Alappuzha on December 15, 2023.

The suspension order followed an investigation by an SIT constituted after the UDF government came to power.

The team found that Mr. Ajithkumar had allegedly intervened and shielded police personnel deployed as security officers for then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who were accused of assaulting Youth Congress workers.