Lakshman promoted as ADGP despite Chief Secretary's objection; promotion order issued after CM submitted his resignation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government promoted IG Gugulloth Lakshman as ADGP with four years of retroactive effect by rejecting the objections raised by a high-level committee headed by the Chief Secretary. Lakshman had earlier been chargesheeted by the Crime Branch for allegedly helping fraudster Monson Mavunkal in his fake antique business by misusing police powers.

The committee, which included the Chief Secretary and Additional Chief Secretaries of the Local Self-Government, Home and General Administration departments, had recommended that Lakshman should not be promoted because a chargesheet had already been filed against him. However, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reportedly directed that the promotion be granted despite the recommendation.

As per the rules, the Chief Minister can only ask the committee to reconsider its recommendation and does not have the authority to overrule it and directly order a promotion. Under service rules, an IPS officer facing trial in court is generally not eligible for promotion.

After the Chief Minister’s direction, the General Administration Department issued an order on Monday, the day the election results were announced, promoting Lakshman. Later, on Wednesday, after the Chief Minister submitted his resignation to the Governor, the department revised the order and granted the promotion with retroactive effect from January 1, 2022. Instead of the Chief Secretary, the revised order was issued by G.R. Rajesh, Additional Secretary in the General Administration Department.

Fourth accused in Monson case
Lakshman is the fourth accused in the case related to Monson Mavunkal’s alleged fraudulent dealings. He was suspended in November 2021 and reinstated in February 2023 as IG of the Training Division. Following his arrest, he was suspended again in September 2023. Lakshman is a 1997-batch IPS officer.