Thodupuzha: Former Idukki district police chief K B Venugopal, who was transferred over the custodial death of remand prisoner Kumar, was accorded a subdued farewell by the Kerala Police Association and Kerala Police Officers' Association. The farewell meet was held at the Kanjar police station.
The cops came to know about the send-off event only on Saturday morning via a WhatsApp message. It was first decided that the event would be held at the Thodupuzha station. After mediapersons reached the station, the venue was shifted.
"I was transferred over an unexpected event and I regret it," Venugopal said during the meet on Saturday.
"Everyone is doing their jobs. Journalists are engaged in their tasks, politicians in theirs. I have no complaint or resentment against anyone," he added.
Additional SP K Muhammed Shafi, Thodupuzha DySP K P Jose, circle-inspector, sub-inspectors, and office-bearers of police association and officers' association took part in the meet.
A section of the cops was against the farewell. Therefore, fund mobilisation for the send-off was carried out discreetly.
Stern stand
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan took a stern stance against Venugopal over the custodial death case, leading to his transfer.
Minister M M Mani was not keen on transferring Venugopal, it was learnt. However, after the CM took a stern stand, Mani had to give in.
The Home Department had pointed out that Venugopal had made a serious duty lapse and recommended stringent action.
The CM too pointed out that the SP cannot evade the responsibility after it was found that Kumar, an accused, was kept in custody for four days. The Home Department had also suggested not to give any other charge to Venugopal. However, he was put in charge of the anti-terror squad under duress, it was learnt.
Mani faced the ire in the party meet for backing the erring officer.
5 police chiefs in 5 years
The Idukki district has had five police chiefs in the last five years. Anwaruddin Sahib was in given the charge in 2014, K V Joseph during 2015-16, A V George in 2017, followed by K B Venugopal. T Narayanan, who was the Malappuram SP, is the new district police chief.
Anwaruddin Sahib was in the top post for merely three months. He was succeeded by K V Joseph. After the Left Democratic Front came into power in the state, the A V George became the district police chief. He was then made the Aluva rural SP. After the ‘High-range Spiders’ squad formed during his tenure was blamed for taking bribe from an accused in a drug case, George was shunted out and Venugopal was given the charge.
As Kumar's custody death rattled the force, Venugopal too was shown the door.
