The Kerala government got what it deserved – a slap on the wrists. By quashing the order of the Kerala government transferring the Director General of Police, the Supreme Court has set a healthy precedent which will go a long way in breaking the hold of the political establishment on police apparatus. Two days after the CPI(M)-led LDF government was sworn in, the DGP was transferred on grounds that he failed to perform his duty in the aftermath of the Puttingal temple tragedy. The apex court refused to buy this argument and stated that DGPs, who have a fixed two-year term cannot be transferred without a proper and objective assessment. In the present case no such exercise was undertaken and the transfer was therefore deemed to have been made with political interest. The government sought to draw a similarity between the post of DGP and chief secretary, but the Supreme Court rightly pointed out that the two were different. The court however, left the door open for action to be taken against erring police officers provided there was credible evidence against them. The order, hopefully, will stop the practice of new governments shunting out top police officers to make room for favourites and insulate the police force from political interference.
