The Kerala High Court has quashed a clean chit given by the Chief Secretary to ADGP S. Sreejith regarding allegations of unauthorized foreign travel and wearing a foreign uniform, according to court proceedings. In a ruling issued on July 30, 2026, the court strongly criticized the Chief Secretary’s report, finding that proper legal procedures were not followed when recording the statement of the complainant, Dipin Edavara.
Court Orders Fresh Statement From Complainant Dipin Edavara
According to the High Court directives, the statement of the complainant, Dipin Edavara, must be recorded again in a detailed manner. Crucially, this fresh statement must be taken without the presence of ADGP S. Sreejith. The court has instructed the Additional Chief Secretary in charge of Vigilance to hear the complainant and take necessary action within three weeks.
The core allegations against ADGP S. Sreejith involve undertaking unauthorized foreign travel and participating in events while wearing a foreign uniform. The High Court observed that the initial government clean chit was granted without adhering to proper procedural requirements, specifically during the recording of the complainant’s statement.
Did You Know? Previously, a Thiruvananthapuram court issued a favorable ruling for ADGP S. Sreejith in a defamation case he filed against K.M. Shajahan after Shajahan raised identical allegations against him.
Implications for ADGP S. Sreejith and Upcoming DGP Promotion
The court ruling arrives at a critical juncture for ADGP S. Sreejith’s career. With ADGP M.R. Ajith Kumar currently under suspension, active government-level moves were underway to consider Sreejith for a promotion to the DGP rank, specifically to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Nitin Agarwal.
However, this judicial intervention could potentially impact those upcoming promotion possibilities. Government authorities have indicated that a final decision regarding the promotion will be made only after thoroughly examining the full text of the court judgment.
Expert Insight: Judicial scrutiny over administrative clean chits raises the procedural bar for high-ranking police officials under inquiry. When courts mandate the exclusion of the accused during witness statements, it underscores the strict adherence required in state-level vigilance probes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the High Court ruling involving ADGP S. Sreejith?
The High Court quashed the clean chit issued by the Chief Secretary after finding that proper procedures, including the recording of the complainant’s statement, were not followed.
What are the specific allegations against ADGP S. Sreejith?
The allegations involve undertaking unauthorized foreign travel and participating in events while wearing a foreign uniform.
What steps has the court ordered next?
The court ordered that complainant Dipin Edavara’s statement be recorded in detail without Sreejith’s presence, instructing the Additional Chief Secretary in charge of Vigilance to take necessary action within three weeks.
How will the government handle the pending promotion of ADGP S. Sreejith in light of this court order?
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