Kochi, 28 Oct (H.S.): The Keralam government has removed Kochi City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar following an assessment that he failed to adequately supervise the investigation into the Cheranelloor road accident, extending disciplinary action over the police handling of the case.

R. Nishanthini IPS, currently serving as Inspector General of Police, South Zone, has been appointed the new Kochi City Police Commissioner. The government has issued an order formalising the change. P. Prakash will take over as South Zone IG in place of Nishanthini.

The commissioner’s removal follows the suspension of four police personnel a day earlier over lapses related to the accident case. The latest decision brings the supervisory role of the city police leadership within the scope of the government’s action.

Additional Director General of Police P. Vijayan’s report is understood to have pointed to shortcomings in the commissioner’s oversight of the investigation. According to reports, the findings indicated that the probe had not received adequate supervision at the commissioner’s level.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala subsequently directed that Mahesh Kumar be replaced, acting on the assessment of supervisory failures.

The four personnel suspended earlier were Circle Inspector Shyamkumar, Station House Officer Vishwajith, Civil Police Officer Arun and Assistant Sub-Inspector Manoj. Action against them was taken in connection with the manner in which the accident case was handled.

Chennithala had acknowledged that there were lapses on the part of the police in dealing with the incident. The suspensions were followed by the decision to change the city police chief as the government continued action over the failures identified in the case.

With the new appointment, Nishanthini will assume charge of the Kochi city police following action against both personnel involved in handling the case and the officer responsible for supervising the investigation. Prakash’s appointment fills the South Zone vacancy created by her transfer.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman