Kerala HC summons home secretary over delay in DGP Sreejith complaint

The Kerala High Court has directed Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Minhaj Alam to appear before it personally and explain why the court's earlier directive to consider a complaint against Director General of Police (DGP) S. Sreejith was not complied with.

The order was issued by Justice A. Badharudeen while hearing a plea by the State government seeking additional time to allow the complainant, Dipin Edavana, an Assistant Motor Vehicles Inspector from Malappuram, to present his case and to reconsider the complaint within three weeks.

Mr. Edavana had alleged that Mr. Sreejith attended the inauguration of a private entity abroad while dressed in official police attire. The court had earlier overturned an order by the then Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Biswanath Sinha, which had dismissed the complaint as false and vexatious. The High Court had found that the complaint was rejected without granting Mr. Edavana an opportunity to be heard, which amounted to a violation of natural justice.

Following the court's direction, an inquiry was initiated into the allegations. In a related petition, Mr. Edavana was asked to take part in a joint hearing with Mr. Sreejith to consider the complaint. Mr. Edavana declined, stating that it would be unfair to discuss his allegations in the presence of the officer concerned. The court closed that petition on July 28.

When the State government sought more time on Tuesday, Mr. Edavana's counsel argued that the three-week period previously allowed for compliance had already expired, and any request for an extension should have been made earlier. Taking note of this, Justice Badharudeen ordered Mr. Alam to appear personally and explain the reasons for the delay.

The court's directive underscores its insistence on timely compliance with judicial orders and the need for fair procedures when complaints against senior officials are examined. The matter has been listed for further hearing.