[Fake Antiques Scam] Why was Monson Mavunkal granted police protection? Can Police officials be trusted? Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday asked the State Police Chief whether he can trust the officers under his command to conduct a proper investigation into the fake antiquities scam, particularly in light of the police protection granted to the accused Monson Mavunkal and the allegations against several police officers (Ajith EV v. Commissioner of Police and Ors.).Single judge Justice Devan Ramachandran said at the outset that what was troubling the court was why the Kerala Police granted protection to Mavunkal instead of taking action against him."Evidently this Court requires the State Police to inform whether an investigation would be apposite by an agency in Kerala when allegations appear to be made against police officers of several ranks," the Court said in its order.The Court asked if the State Police Chief can truly trust the officers under his command to conduct a proper investigation"And with so many allegations flying thick and high against all these police officers, can the crime branch really conduct a proper investigation? The Police Chief should tell me if he trusts the police command under him to conduct proper investigation. I'm not saying they (allegations) are right, just that there are allegations," the Court orally observed..The Court also sought an explanation from the State police on why no suspicion was raised against Mavunkal even when articles like elephant tusks were reported to be in his possession."They say that the information we have is that that this man was dealing in all kinds of things, event elephant tusks. It is a different matter now that it seems that all these items were forged. Instead of taking action against this man, you (police) gave him protection, on what basis?" Justice Ramachandran orally remarked. "The State Police certainly therefore should tell this court how no suspicion was raised against said respondent till now even though it is stated that his house is under police protection even when articles like elephant tusks (which is now reported not so) were reported to be in his possession," the Court said in its order..The Court had earlier said that police authorities, including the State Police Chief must conduct a through investigation into the scam in view of the fact that the former driver of Mavunkal had alleged that Mavunkal has links with police officials in the State.The Court had therefore, impleaded the State Police Chief in the matter. In its order today, the Court justified the same. "What is to be borne in mind is that the petitioner has not come to this court seeking protection, but to be protected from the police. He has made various allegations against various police officers and it is therefore that the presence of the State Police Chief in the party array becomes very important.".Monson Mavunkal gained notoriety in Kerala after news reports surfaced that he had allegedly conned several people of over ₹10 crores through his antique scam.Thereafter, Mavunkal's former driver, the petitioner in this case, approached the Kerala High Court through advocates Philip T Varghese and Thomas T Varghese.He sought protection from his former boss after he had disclosed some information regarding Mavunkal's scam to the police.Later, he informed the court that he has been receiving threats from police officials associated with Mavunkal and therefore prayed for protection from such erring police officials as well.