CPM office raid in TVPM: ADGP gives clean chit to SP Chaitra

Chaitra says credible information led to the raid on the CPM office at midnight on January 24.

Thiruvananthapuram: The recent raid on the CPI(M) district committee office here by a police team headed by SP Chaitra Teresa John, was not illegal, according to an inquiry report by a top cop.

ADGP Manoj Abraham's inquiry report has come as a relief for Chaitra, who was removed from her temporary responsibilities of DCP (Law and Order) and reinstated in the Women’s Cell, after her action provoked the ruling CPI(M)-led government.

The report has not recommended any action against the woman officer.

However, it points out that she should have been more vigilant in view of possible law and order issues.

Superior officers should have been informed about the raid, the report said.

The inquiry was conducted after CPI(M) district secretary Anavoor Nagappan’s plea alleging conspiracy to defame the government during the Assembly session.

A search report submitted to the magistrate by Chaitra says credible information, including evidence of a culprit's phone conversation revealing his presence in the party ofce, led to the raid at midnight on January 24.

The IPS officer led the raid on the party office to nab nine people who pelted stones at Medical College Police Station earlier in the day. The station was attackedafter the Left supporters were disallowed to meet two DYFI activists who were booked under the POCSO Act.

Chaitra who was on a temporary DCP duty was transferred within hours of the raid, inviting much criticism against the chief minister. However, Nagappan said Chaitra raided the party office to get media attention.He alleged conspiracy behind the action.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that his government would not approve of any action intended to undermine the independent functioning of political parties in the state. He said that a

rare few were seen to have fallen for the tendency to belittle those in public life. “A democracy can progress only by correcting such tendencies,” the chief minister said in the assembly on Monday.

He was responding to the submission moved by opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala in the assembly on Monday regarding the government action against Chaitra.