TP SenkumarKochi: Dismissing the LDF government’s charges of procedural lapses in the investigations into the Puttingal fireworks tragedy and the Jisha murder case, former police chief T. P. Senkumar has informed the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) that the government found faults with the investigation teams without reviewing the aforementioned cases.
He said the scientific investigations conducted by the first Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the evidence collected by it proved crucial in nabbing the suspect in the Jisha murder case.
When the fireworks tragedy occurred at Puttingal, he had taken a lot of efforts in supervising the relief work and coordinating the arrangements for the visit of VIPs including the prime minister, he stated.
Earlier, in response to a petition filed by Senkumar, questioning his removal from the post of SPC, the government had submitted before the CAT that he was shifted from the post because of his inefficiency in dealing with the two sensational cases.
The case will be taken up for hearing on Tuesday.
According to Senkumar, a DGP cannot act as per the whims and fancies of the ruling party and suspend police personnel by succumbing to political pressure. “It is up to the government to take action against officers of the rank of CI or above. The present DGP Loknath Behera is a well-wisher of the LDF government,” he said.
“The investigation into the Jisha murder was heading in the right direction. The Footwear recovered from the site and the call detailed records (CDR) collected by the earlier team provided the leads to the killer. The first SIT did everything except the arrest of the suspect.
IG Manoj Abraham had submitted a comprehensive report to the Home Department on the Puttingal tragedy. The government, however, sought a fresh report from the DGP alleging that the report submitted by the Home Department was half-baked and one-sided. The government accepted the report prepared by me. The police team led by ADGP (Crimes) could also arrest all the main suspects in the Puttingal case.
“In my capacity as the SPC, I could discharge my duties efficiently during the local body elections, visits of several VIPs, Sabarimala festival, and the assembly polls. If the State police was inefficient in dealing with the Puttingal tragedy and the Jisha murder case, the Election Commission would not have assigned the department with the maintenance of law and order during the assembly elections,” he said.
He added that his ousting from the post of SPC was with ill-intentions.
