Kerala High Court slammed ADGP for using a tractor on the Sabarimala trekking path, violating orders. Suo motu case closed after disciplinary and legal action against the officer.
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KERALA: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday closed suo motu proceedings initiated against Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Armed Forces Battalion, Mr. Ajith Kumar, for traveling on a police tractor along the Sabarimala trekking path in violation of earlier court orders.
A Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice KV Jayakumar strongly criticized the senior officer’s conduct, observing:
“We deprecate in strong words the actions taken by a very senior officer of the police department.”
Background of the Case
The proceedings were triggered by a report submitted by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner, which highlighted incidents that took place on July 12 and 13. The report revealed that the ADGP used a Kerala Police tractor to travel to and from Sannidhanam for darshan at the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple.
The matter involved a violation of a binding directive issued on November 25, 2021, which reiterated an earlier 2014 order banning the use of tractors to carry passengers, including police personnel, along the Swami Ayyappan Road. The orders strictly allowed tractors only for transporting goods.
Despite this restriction, the ADGP used the tractor while on official pilgrimage duty, leading to contempt proceedings before the Court.
When the matter was heard, the Chief Police Coordinator informed the Court that the ADGP admitted to using the tractor on those dates. The officer claimed he was compelled due to a health issue that arose while trekking the path to Sannidhanam.
Court’s Observation
The Court noted that disciplinary and legal proceedings had already been initiated. A case was registered at Pamba Police Station, charging the ADGP under:
- Section 281 – Rash driving (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita)
- Section 223 – Disobedience of order by public servant (BNS)
- Sections 66(1), 192A, 123 – Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (relating to unauthorized use and safety violations)
While closing the suo motu proceedings, the Bench directed the Chief Police Coordinator and the Travancore Devaswom Board to ensure that such violations do not occur in the future.
“Since explanation has been sought and legal action is underway, this SSCR is closed,”
the Court added.
Case Title:
Suo Motu v State of Kerala
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