The selection of police officers for Indian Police Service got embroiled in a controversy with three officers challenging the selection process in the Ernakulam Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal.
The selection list has been challenged by Jacob Job, Director, Women’s Commission; V. Gopal Krishnan, Principal, Police Training College, Thiruvananthapuram; and T. Gopalakrishna Pillai, Deputy City Police Commissioner, Kochi.
The petitioners alleged that the selection committee which met on December 21, 2012 wound up its assessment and classification of 47 officers in just two hours.
They alleged that the selection committee chose not to include them on the list even though their exemplary service record and excellent rating were mentioned in their confidential reports.
Eighteen policemen have been included on the list of eligible officers for promotion to the Indian Police Service. Apart from the list of 18 officers, a provisional list of three officers, whose integrity certificates were withheld by the government, had been prepared.
The petitioners alleged that the three officers — D. Madhu, Superintendent of Police (retired); B. Ashokan, Superintendent of Police (non IPS), Crime Branch; and T.K. Haridas, Superintendent of Police (non-IPS) Vigilance Officer, Excise Department, Thiruvananthapuram— were facing various criminal cases and major disciplinary proceedings. According to the petitioners, the ratings of these officers in their confidential reports did not make them eligible to be promoted to the Indian Police Service.
The State government had withheld their integrity certificates on the recommendation of the Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) and the State Police Chief.
According to the petitioners, while D. Madhu has a criminal case registered against him, which is pending with the Cheruthuruthy police, the Director, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has recommended stringent disciplinary action against B. Ashokan on charges of misconduct.
Similarly, T.K. Haridas, SP, Vigilance Officer, Excise Department, has been indicted by the CBI in the custodial murder of Udayakumar at Fort police station, Thiruvananthapuram. The Home Department had ordered the removal of the officer from service and prosecution was sanctioned. The inclusion of these officers on the provisional list was against the provisions of the guidelines and regulations, the petitioners claimed.
