The Kerala government suspended Inspector General of Police Gugulloth Lakshman on Wednesday for his alleged involvement with antiquities dealer Monson Mavunkal and interference in criminal cases to assist him, according to the Chief Minister’s Office.
The decision to suspend the IG, which was in charge of traffic and road safety, was made by Prime Minister Pinarayi Vijayan after a criminal branch investigation into Mavunkal’s dealings allegedly exposed his ties to the senior IPS official. said sources familiar with the matter.
Manual was arrested in September this year on charges of pocketing 10 million rupees from a group of people since 2017 after promising to become partners in his antique business.
The criminal branch report, which was released on Monday, says Lakshman illegally interfered in an earlier investigation against Mavunkal and succeeded in having an investigating officer transferred at Mavunkal’s behest.
In addition, the high-ranking police officer played the role of intermediary in Mavunkal’s alleged fraudulent antique deals, he said.
Lakshman did not respond to requests for comment.
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