We Are Watchful About Infiltration Of Religious Radical Elements: Kerala Police To HC About Leakage Of Its Data To SDPI

The Kerala Police has filed a statement before the Kerala High Court stating that it is always watchful about the likely infiltration of religious radical elements into the Department.

The statement has been filed in a Writ Petition filed seeking a full-fledged investigation into the matter of leakage of confidential information with Kerala Police relating to workers and leaders of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in Thodupuzha of Kerala to the workers of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the political outfit of Popular Front of India (PFI).

The petitioner had contended in the Writ Petition that apart from initiating a departmental enquiry against the officer involved, the Police have not taken any concrete action in the matter.

In the statement that has now been filed by the Idduki District Police Chief, it is stated that one Shanavas who was arrested in a crime was found to have interacted on WhatsApp with Police personnel  Anas PK. On verifying the WhatsApp chat between them, it was found that "several messages with contents of religious, political and communal nature were transferred between them and also found that RC particulars of some vehicles were downloaded from the official application named 'crime drive' and shared with the accused Shanavas".

It is said in the statement that pursuant to the said discovery, a disciplinary enquiry was initiated and it was found that the said Anas PK committed gross indiscipline and grave misconduct unbecoming of a public servant.

The Kerala Police has said that Anas PK was removed from service with effects from  December 27, 2021.

The statement explains in detail about security of the database maintained by the Police. However, as per Kerala Police, the errant police officer has not committed any offence as alleged by the petitioner.

"..this incident does not amount to data theft, the errant police officer has not been entrusted with the safe keeping or administration of any data by the department and he didn't invade into the database or any computer system without the knowledge of the administrator or owner", states Kerala Police about non-registration of an FIR in the matter.

With respect to the allegation about the existence of a  WhatsApp group of Muslim police personnel named "Pachavelicham 2.0", the Idduk District Police Chief states that no complaint regarding the operation of such WhatsApp group has been received in Idduki District and that with respect to reports about the existence of such groups in other districts, no evidence could be gathered and no disciplinary action was taken against any personnel.

On the said basis, the Kerala Police is seeking dismissal of the Writ Petition filed by Suresh Kumar K. S., the District President of BJP in Idukki District.

Earlier, Justice K. Haripal has adjourned the case to enable the Public Prosecutor to get instructions and file the statement.