The Kerala Police force is undergoing a significant administrative restructuring, with major changes announced for top-level officials including the Law and Order ADGP, Intelligence Chief, and various district-level leadership positions. P. Vijayan has been appointed as the new ADGP for Law and Order, while H. Venkatesh, who previously held that post, has been reassigned to lead the Crime Branch.
Leadership changes in the police hierarchy
The government reshuffle affects several high-ranking officers across the state. S. Sreejith, formerly the ADGP at police headquarters, has been appointed as the head of the Prisons Department. Balram Kumar Upadhyay, the outgoing Prisons ADGP, will move to the Battalion wing as ADGP. Additionally, Dindendra Kashyap has been named the new Intelligence Chief.
Did You Know? The restructuring involves a wide-reaching movement of personnel, including the reassignment of range-level officers and city police commissioners, signaling a comprehensive shift in the state’s law enforcement management.
Reassignments of Range and City officials
The reshuffle extends to the IG and DIG ranks, impacting law enforcement operations across multiple districts. Harshitha Attalluri moves from the Traffic and Road Safety IG position to become the IG at police headquarters. R. Nishanthini has been appointed as the new Intelligence IG, taking over from S. Shyam Sundar, who moves to the Crime Branch as IG.
At the range level, G.H. Yatheesh Chandra is the new Ernakulam Range DIG, while T. Narayanan takes over as the Kannur Range DIG. Dr. Arul R.B. Krishna has been appointed as the Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner, replacing K. Karthik, who will now serve as the Thrissur Range DIG.
District-level and operational adjustments
Several districts will see new leadership as part of the transition. A.P. Shaukat Ali has been appointed as the Kozhikode City Police Commissioner, while Merin Joseph shifts to the role of Kozhikode Rural District Police Chief. Other notable changes include B.K. Prashanthan Kani as the Thiruvananthapuram Rural District Police Chief and S. Deva Manohar as the Wayanad District Police Chief.
Expert Insight: Large-scale police reshuffles of this nature are typically intended to recalibrate administrative priorities and address emerging operational demands. By rotating officers across diverse roles—from intelligence to city-specific commands—the department may be seeking to balance fresh perspectives with the deployment of experienced personnel in critical districts.
What could happen next
Following these appointments, the newly assigned officers are expected to assume their respective duties immediately. Observers might see shifts in departmental priorities or enforcement strategies as these leaders settle into their new jurisdictions. Future administrative actions may follow if the government determines that further adjustments are required to meet shifting public safety requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new Law and Order ADGP?
P. Vijayan has been appointed as the ADGP for Law and Order.
Where has the former Law and Order ADGP been reassigned?
H. Venkatesh, who previously held the Law and Order post, has been moved to lead the Crime Branch.
Who has been appointed as the new Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner?
Dr. Arul R.B. Krishna has been appointed to this position, replacing K. Karthik.
How do you think these leadership changes will impact local law enforcement operations in your district?