Will challenge trial court remarks against CM Pinarayi Vijayan in ADGP Ajith Kumar case: State to Kerala HC

The State government on Friday told the Kerala High Court that it will be moving a plea to challenge critical remarks made by a trial court against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in connection with a corruption case filed against Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) MR Ajith Kumar [MR Ajith Kumar v State of Kerala]..Justice A Badhurudeen was informed of the development today during a hearing of a plea filed by ADGP Ajith Kumar.Kumar has challenged the trial court's decision to proceed with considering a disproportionate assets case filed against him, despite a vigilance report exonerating him of these allegations. .While refusing to close this corruption case, the trial court had also referred to allegations that politicians and high-ranking government officials had tried to subvert the inquiry against the ADGP. The trial court noted that the vigilance authorities who gave the ADGP a clean chit fell under the control of the Chief Minister, and questioned what role such "so-called constitutional dignitaries" had in the inquiry. "The allegation raised by the complainant is that there was intervention at the instance of departmental officers, bureaucrats, and politicians to subvert the enquiry initiated against the suspected officer. The question is: What is the role of the so-called constitutional dignitaries in the enquiry initiated against the high-ranking police officer? It is a fact that the vigilance department falls under the control of the Chief Minister of the State; it is solely for governance and nothing more," the special court had observed in its order..The State government, through its public prosecutor, today informed the High Court that it will be filing an appeal challenging such remarks.The Court proceeded to post ADGP Kumar's appeal in the matter next on September 18, for further hearing. It also extended an earlier stay granted on the criminal proceedings against Ajith Kumar till then. .The corruption allegations against the ADGP were first made by LDF-backed independent MLA from Nilambur, PV Anvar. In 2024, Anvar accused Ajith Kumar of amassing illegal wealth, profiteering from gold and hawala transactions, phone tapping and being involved in illegal timber felling from government property.The MLA also held a press conference and alleged that the ADGP was constructing a palatial house in Thiruvananthapuram, again implying that the police officer held disproportionate wealth.A probe was conducted in the matter, with the vigilance authorities eventually giving the ADGP a clean chit. However on August 14, a special court hearing the case rejected this clean chit and also criticised the inquiry officers.This has been challenged by Ajith Kumar before the High Court.