Thiruvananthapuram: The state government has appointed M R Ajith Kumar IPS as the new Excise Commissioner, replacing Mahipal Yadav IPS, who is on extended medical leave.

Ajith Kumar, a 1995-batch IPS officer currently serving as the Additional Director General of Police (Armed Police Battalions), has been transferred to the newly created ex-cadre post of Excise Commissioner, effective immediately.

Ajith Kumar was previously among the front-runners for the post of state police chief. Although the state government recommended his name along with those of DGP Manoj Abraham and ADGP Suresh Raj Purohit, the UPSC shortlisted only officers who met its strict eligibility criteria. Eventually, Ravada A Chandrasekhar was appointed as the state DGP.

Ajith Kumar has been in the spotlight for various controversies. He drew criticism for allegedly using a Kerala Police tractor to travel along the Sabarimala Swami Ayyappan Road on July 12, in violation of a High Court order.

In October last year, he was removed from the Law and Order post based on a report by then DGP Sheikh Darvesh Saheb, which cited serious lapses in his conduct. The report also flagged his controversial meeting with senior RSS leaders and raised concerns over his handling of the probe into the murder of Ridan, who was allegedly linked to a gold smuggling case from Karipur.