Red-faced Kerala govt reinstates Senkumar as DGP

A red-faced Kerala government on Friday decided to reinstate senior IPS Officer T P Senkumar as state's DGP (Law and Order), on a day the Supreme Court dismissed its clarification petition on his appointment with cost.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan signed the related file tonight and the government order would be issued tomorrow, sources in his office said.

Senkumar told media persons that he would react only after the order has been issued.

Incumbent DGP Loknath Behara is likely to be appointed DGP, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau.

Senkumar, who is due to retire on June 30, was removed two days after the CPI(M)-led LDF government assumed office on May 25 last year.

He had moved the Central Administrative Tribunal, challenging his removal, but his plea was turned down. The Kerala High Court had later upheld the CAT's verdict.

The Supreme Court had, however, on Apr 24 directed the reinstatement of Senkumar, saying he was transferred by the LDF government "unfairly" and "arbitrarily".

The Supreme court order was widely seen as a setback to the LDF government.

The Senior IPS officer's relation with ruling CPI-M was not cordial as he had probed various cases, including the sensational T P Chandrasekharan murder case in which CPI(M) cadres were allegedly involved.

The Chief Minister had all along justified Senkumar's removal, saying that he was not fit for the post.

With the government not taking a decision on the SC order, Senkumar had filed a contempt petition accusing it of "wilful, deliberate disobedience".

The Supreme Court earlier today dismissed the Kerala government's clarification petition and imposed a cost of Rs 25,000. It also sought the response of Kerala chief secretary Nalini Netto on the contempt plea.