As political murders in Kerala gain limelight and raise debates for Central intervention, former State Police Chief (SPC) T.P. Senkumar asked the Supreme Court on Monday whether Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will take “responsibility” for the nine political murders that occurred in the State under his watch.
Mr. Senkumar, who was shunted out of the SPC post within two days of the current Left Democratic Front government taking over, asked if he was seen “responsible” for the sensational Perumbavoor murder case in Kerala, will Mr. Vijayan take responsibility for the nine political murders as he is also the Home Minister of the State.
Arguing before a Bench led by Justice Madan B. Lokur, senior advocate Dushyant Dave and advocate Prashant Bhushan, for Mr. Senkumar, said his removal from the top police post was guided by sheer political motives.
The State blamed his performance in the Perumbavoor murder case and the Puttingal fire tragedy as reasons for his removal.
“My performance is 9 out of 10. I was in no way directly responsible for the two cases. If that is the case, 96 police officers were transferred by this government. Nine political murders occurred in the State. Will the Chief Minister, who is also the Home Minister, take responsibility? If not, why should the Chief Minister say I should take responsibility?” Mr. Senkumar submitted. Mr. Dave said there should be "some semblance of law".
“I have an outstanding record. According to Your Lordships’ decision in Prakash Singh case, top police officers should have a minimum tenure of two years. Any removal should be done by the State government in consultation with the State Security Commission under the Kerala Police Act of 2011,” he submittted through Mr. Dave, along with advocate Haris Beeran.
Extremely subjective
Justice Lokur orally remarked that posting and removal of police officers had become “extremely subjective.”
“We need to consider this case,” Justice Lokur said. The court issued notice to the State for passing interim orders.
Appearing for the State, senior advocate P.P. Rao, said the file on Mr. Senkumar had started moving before the LDF government came to power. “It was only continued action,” Mr. Rao said.
Mr. Rao said there was no need to consult the State Security Commission as this was not a case of “removal”, as alleged, but transfer.
“At the highest level, an SPC should have peak performance,” Mr. Rao said.
Mr. Senkumar had moved the Supreme Court against the decisions of the Central Administrative Tribunal and the Kerala High Court not to interfere in his removal as SPC.
