THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mr H. Gopakumar, who was recently promoted from DIG Prisons to IG Prisons, has denied that his appointment had anything to do with the solar scam.
CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had alleged that Mr Gopakumar was granted promotion as a favour for influencing solar scam-accused Saritha S. Nair to suppress her statements against VIPs.
Mr Gopakumar maintained that the promotion was made in accordance with the rules brought in by the previous LDF government. It was after a gap of 27 years that a Kerala Jail Service official was promoted to IG rank. This was on the lines of the Kerala Prisons and Correctional Services (Management) Act of 2010.
It has been alleged that Mr Gopakumar had visited Saritha S. Nair in the Attakulangara vanitha prison and suppressed her statements and that manipulations had been made in the visitors' register.
State police chief T.P. Senkumar, who was the former DGP Prisons, said that he had recommended the promotion of Mr Gopakumar, who had served as DIG for about 15 years. The promotion had nothing to do with the solar case, he said.
Mr. Gopakumar also said that he visited the prison in connection with the proposed visit of NHRC member Cyriac Joseph.
