The State government was yet to take a call on State Police Chief (SPC) T.P. Senkumar’s report that less than a score of files were spirited away from the so called confidential T-section at the Police Headquarters here.
Official sources said at least 12 of the 14 “missing files” pertained to internal inquiries, departmental action, and anonymous and synonymous petitions against ADGP-HQ Tomin J. Thachankary, some of them dating back to his period as SP in the 1990s. Sources close to Mr. Thachankary denied the allegation as false and said the officer had no control over the section. It was directly under the SPC.
They said there were more than 5,000 files in the T-section, including complaints against current and serving officers.
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Many of the files were redundant as the matters mentioned in them had been investigated, found to be false, and closed. It was libellous and unfair to cast the shadow of suspicion of wrongdoing on any one officer without evidence.
The officials also questioned Mr. Senkumar’s decision to inspect the T- section, something which he had not done when he served as SPC under the previous United Democratic Front government.
They imputed a political motive to the current developments at the PHQ.
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Departmental inquiry
Meanwhile, the SPC has ordered a departmental inquiry to trace the “missing files”, many of which have no digital back-up. Mr. Senkumar has also suggested in writing to the government that a case be registered under the Official Secrets Act, 1923 to penalise those responsible.
He has not stated whether anybody should or should not be named as accused.
The government has so far watched mutedly as the rivalry at the PHQ was battled out publicly in newspapers, television, and the social media.
The feud has not augured well for its public image. Officials said a political decision on the matter was awaited.