The Kerala High Court on Friday (August 21) issued notice to the Director of the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) on a petition challenging the Government's decision declining, at this stage, to initiate a vigilance investigation into corruption allegations against DGP S. Sreejith, IPS.

Justice A. Badharudeen issued notice on the petition moved by an Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector.

The petitioner has challenged the Government order dated August 19, which found that a vigilance investigation against Sreejith was not warranted “as of now”. The petition alleges that the order was passed without proper application of mind despite material requiring further inquiry.

The petitioner had earlier approached the High Court with allegations that Sreejith had visited Dubai while on casual leave without obtaining permission to travel abroad and participated in the inauguration of a private enterprise allegedly connected to him. Allegations concerning benami transactions and other irregularities were also raised.

The Court had earlier directed an enquiry into the complaint. However, the petitioner objected to a notice issued for a joint hearing in the presence of Sreejith, against whom the allegations had been made.

The High Court subsequently directed the Additional Chief Secretary to afford the petitioner an independent personal hearing in Sreejith's absence, observing that requiring a complainant to participate in a hearing in the presence of the person against whom allegations are made cannot be recognised as a fair procedure.

Following the hearing, the Additional Chief Secretary appeared before the Court on Thursday and submitted that the directions had been complied with. He informed the Court that an order had been passed finding that a vigilance investigation against Sreejith was not warranted at present.

Challenging the August 19 order, the petitioner has also raised allegations regarding Sreejith's tenure as Kerala Transport Commissioner between April 2022 and August 2024. It is alleged that an unofficial “Transport Commissioner's Squad” was formed during this period and was used to victimise subordinate personnel and facilitate illicit transactions.

The petitioner contends that his complaint concerning the alleged benami transaction and foreign business activity does not relate to a decision taken by Sreejith in the discharge of official functions and, therefore, the statutory requirement of prior approval does not bar an inquiry.