Inspector General of Police (IG) G. Lakshman, IPS, has been suspended by the Kerala Home Department on Wednesday on charges of aiding the activities of conman Monson Mavunkal.
On Tuesday, the Crime Branch had recommended to the state government action against Lakshman for misusing his position to assist Monson who was arrested recently for duping a few people of crores of rupees after touting himself to be an antique dealer. The Crime Branch inquiry report into Lakshman's role was submitted to the Kerala home department on Tuesday. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan heads the home department which oversees the police affairs. IG Lakshman, who holds charge of Social Policing and Traffic with the state police, was found to have had a close connection with Monson.
Late October, Crime Branch chief S. Sreejith had asked IG Lakshman to give a statement on the various allegations levelled against him in connection with the Monson case. Former state police chief Lokanath Behera and ADGP Manoj Abraham were also asked for explanations. Lakshman had been served a show-cause notice after he had reportedly intervened to get a financial fraud case in Monson's name transferred from the Crime Branch to the Cherthala Police Station. His telephonic conversations with the accused that were out in the public domain, had also suggested their connection. The IG had attended the wedding of Monson's daughter. On the day of Monson was arrest for swindling Rs 10 crore from several people, Lakshman had been in touch with Italy-based Malayali, Anitha Pullayil, who is a mutual acquaintance.
