Kerala High Court Orders Production of Documents in DGP Sreejith Corruption Case
The Kerala High Court has directed the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) and the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to produce documents related to allegations against Director General of Police (DGP) S. Sreejith. The records are to be submitted in a sealed cover before the court.
The directive came from a Single Bench of Justice A. Badharudeen while hearing a petition filed by Dipin Edavana, an Assistant Motor Vehicles Inspector from Malappuram. Mr. Edavana had alleged corrupt practices and abuse of authority against Mr. Sreejith. He also challenged an order by the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) stating that a vigilance investigation was not warranted “as of now” on his complaints, which were described as “generalised and speculative” in nature.
Justice Badharudeen called for the records referred to in Mr. Edavana’s representation before the VACB, which had also been forwarded to the Additional Chief Secretary. The court further directed the authorities concerned to file their statements or objections, if any, in the meantime.
The Additional Chief Secretary's report had included Mr. Edavana's complaints regarding Mr. Sreejith’s travel to Abu Dhabi to inaugurate a private enterprise without authorisation. The complaints also alleged that Mr. Sreejith harassed Mr. Edavana, showed favouritism, and committed irregularities in printing driving licences and purchasing AI cameras during his tenure as Transport Commissioner. Additionally, the report noted allegations of irregularities in the appointment of Havildars in the police force during Mr. Sreejith’s service in the Police department, as well as concerns about his activities related to music groups and the Indian Rifle Association.
In the order that was challenged, the Additional Chief Secretary said it was “not possible to conduct a roving inquiry” based on the allegations. The order stated that Mr. Sreejith had availed himself of casual leave for the Abu Dhabi trip and had received permission from the State Police Chief. It also noted that pictures and available records did not substantiate the claim that Mr. Sreejith wore his police uniform during the inauguration programme.
The Additional Chief Secretary had suggested that the Transport Secretary might conduct an internal inquiry into the allegations raised against Mr. Sreejith during his time as Transport Commissioner. On the Havildar appointments, the order referred to a letter from the State Police Chief stating that there were no irregularities. Regarding the extracurricular activities, the order observed that the All India Services (Conduct) Rules allow members of service to pursue artistic or literary activities as long as they do not interfere with official duties. It also said there was no evidence that Mr. Sreejith had gained any commercial benefit from these activities.
The High Court’s decision to call for the records in a sealed cover indicates that it will examine the materials to determine whether the Additional Chief Secretary’s reasoning was justified. The case is expected to be heard further, with the authorities required to respond to the court’s directive.
