SC rejects Kerala’s plea on DGP appointment, imposes RS 25000 cost

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, May 5 2017, DH news: The Supreme Court on Friday rejected Kerala government’s plea for modification of April 24 judgement that directed appointment of senior IPS officer T P Senkumar as DGP.

A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta imposed Rs 25000 cost of the LDF government even as senior advocate Sidharth Luthra pleaded that he would not press for the application.

In further trouble to the state government, the court sought a response from Chief Secretary on Tuesday over Senkumar’s plea for contempt action against the top officer.

Senior advocate Dushyant Dave, representing Senkumar, said the state government did not implement the apex court’s direction despite lapse of 13 days, though the officer was removed from the post within 24 hour.

Senior advocate Jaydeep Gupta, also appearing for Kerala government, submitted that it is in the process.

Senkumar alleged “wilful disobedience” of the apex court’s order to reinstate him as the state Director General of Police (DGP).

“There is a sinister intention behind the contemnors resolute refusal to implement this court’s directions,” he contended.

The officer claimed that he had already provided on 27 April a certified copy of the apex court’s judgement but so far no order has been issued. He said he had sent a letter too on 25 April for “expeditiously carrying out the directions.”

Senkumar, who is set to retire on June 30, has urged the apex court to consider extending his tenure as state police chief for the period “which was illegally taken off from him”. He was appointed DGP on May 22, 2015.

“He was removed, illegally on June 1, 2016, as found by this court. Therefore, going by the principles of the judgment of this court in Prakash Singh’s case, the petitioner is entitled for his remaining tenure irrespective of his superannuation,” the plea stated.

Senkumar was removed just as the LDF government assumed office. He was accused of protecting officers in the Puttingal Temple tragedy that claimed lives of more than 100 people. He was also blamed for laxity in the murder case of Dalit girl Jisha that “eroded the confidence of the public on the leadership of the force”.