The Kerala High Court on Wednesday stayed further proceedings initiated by a special vigilance court in a disproportionate assets (DA) complaint against Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) M.R. Ajith Kumar.
Justice A. Badharudeen passed the interim order on a plea filed by the senior police officer challenging the special court’s August 14 decision to continue proceedings despite a clean chit from the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB).
The High Court has stayed the proceedings in the complaint until September 12, when it will hear Ajith Kumar’s petition in detail. The court’s full order is awaited.
Earlier this month, the special vigilance court had refused to accept the VACB’s closure report absolving the officer of the allegations. It held that a prima facie case existed to proceed with the complaint, which accused Ajith Kumar of amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
The vigilance court had also directed that the complainant and relevant witnesses be examined to take the matter forward.
With the High Court’s stay, the proceedings before the vigilance court have been halted for now. The matter will come up before the High Court again on September 12, when Ajith Kumar’s plea against the special court’s decision will be heard.
