Thiruvananthapuram: As the Supreme Court is likely to consider the contempt petition filed by senior IPS officer T.P. Senkumar on Tuesday, the government might issue orders reinstating him as state police chief before that date to avoid further setbacks. Indicating this, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters on Sunday that the Supreme Court order was the ultimate legal verdict for the government and that it had no issues with it.
“Those who expected that the SC orders will be executed the next day itself might have concerns. As far as we are concerned, the SC verdict is the final legal verdict in our country.The state government does not have any other issues with regard to that verdict. But a decision would be taken after considering related matters,” he told reporters in Malappuram.
Mr. Senkumar moved a contempt petition on Saturday against the government’s delay in implementing the SC order of April 24 reinstating him. He accused chief secretary Nalini Netto of deliberately delaying his reinstatement and also sought an extension of his service to enable him to complete his two-year mandatory tenure as state police chief irrespective of his superannuation on June 30. Sources said that the government was concerned whether the court would allow Mr. Senkumar’s plea and give him extension.
Hence, it may issue orders reinstating Mr. Senkumar before the SC considers the contempt plea. In that case, even if the court considers the petition, the government counsel can produce a copy of the order and avoid further consideration of Mr. Senkumar’s demand for extension of service. Though the government earlier had sought legal options on the scope of a review petition, law secretary B.G. Hareendranath had given a negative reply. The government also considered the option of filing a clarification petition. The SC order had set aside the government order on June 1, 2016 transferring Mr. Senkumar from the state police chief’s post. But the same order contained the posting of Mr. Jacob Thomas as Vigilance director replacing Mr. Shanker Reddy. Hence, the government was considering the option of filing a clarification petition citing this.
