Capable & Committed To Conduct Truthful, Unbiased Probe Against Mavunkal: DGP Assures Kerala High Court

Responding to the alleged links of controversial antique dealer Monson Mavunkal with senior police officials, the Director General of Police (DGP), Anil Kant IPS assured that the investigation was in safe hands before the Kerala High Court. 

"It is humbly submitted that the present Special Investigation Team is fully capable and committed to conduct a truthful, unbiased and sustained investigation into all the allegations raised in the matter and to take all the cases to its logical conclusion." 

The affidavit was filed in response to a petition filed by the dealer's former driver, who had alleged harassment from his ex-employer and certain police officers close to him.

In the previous hearing of the matter, Justice Devan Ramachandran had speculated if the police can be trusted with the enquiry against Mavunkal, considering that there were serious allegations that he had influential links with police officials.

In response to this, the DGP has submitted an elaborate affidavit listing out each crime registered against Mavunkal so far, with particular emphasis on the prompt and efficient actions taken against him. 

"a case was promptly registered against the 5th respondent (Mavunkal) on receipt of the complaint and he was arrested after 2 days of the registration of the case. The sensible moves by the investigating team culminated in the arrest of the accused from his house. The accused was clueless regarding the moves of the investigating team."   

Progress Of Ongoing Investigation Against Mavunkal

The Court had directed the DGP to inform the progress of the ongoing investigation against the bogus dealer. In this regard, the affidavit disclosed a list of 10 criminal cases registered against him in different police stations and Crime Branch Units accompanied by the detailed progress in each of these cases. 

It was added that a preliminary enquiry was also ordered by the Additional DGP to enquire into the other allegations raised in the public domain after Mavunkal's arrest. In his affidavit, the DGP confirmed that the truth behind these allegations will be brought out in the enquiry. 

Specific Steps Taken To Detect Other Illegal Acts:

The DGP further provided intricate details of the measures taken by the investigating team to detect any other illegal acts that Mavunkal may have been engaged in over the years. 

According to the report, the following steps have been taken so far:

• His vehicles have been examined by the Motor Vehicle Department
• His collection of antiques have been examined by the Archaeological Survey Department
• Available bank details have been furnished to the income tax department
• Suspected wildlife articles have been collected by the forest department and sent for examination
• Thorough verification is underway by a special team of officers to trace the money trail. 

Action Taken Against Alleged Links With Police Officials:

The affidavit disclosed that statements of all senior police officers have been recorded with respect to the allegations raised against them. 

Regarding the visit of the former State Police Chief to the dealer's home, the statements reveal that it was an unscheduled visit, purely out of interest to witness the collection of antiques claimed to be of great historic importance and artistic value. It was confirmed that no intelligence report or information was available regarding the dubious nature of the antique articles.

"It may kindly be noted that this visit was not at all done with an intention to give any undue mileage to the 5th respondent in the society or to boost his image in public." 

The affidavit further states that the attempt to transfer the investigation as conspired by the Inspector General of Police has been cancelled forthwith and and an explanation has been sought from him in this regard.

Why Was Mavunkal Given Police Protection?

The Court was astonished to learn that the antique dealer was granted police protection, and enquired on what grounds the same was afforded to him. 

The affidavit discloses that through a letter dated 31st May 2019, Mavunkal had requested police protection by periodical monitoring of the premises of his residence where the antique collection was stored before the State Police Chief. 

According to protocol, once the SPO receives a request of the sort, the same should be forwarded to the concerned authorities till it is approved by the Commissioner of Police. This procedure was duly followed, and accordingly, a point book was arranged near Mavunkal's residence to facilitate police patrols. 

"This is a usual mechanism of Police Surveillance as provided in the Police Standing Orders Volume I, Chapter V, Rule 284(1) to (3). It may be kindly noted that no separate police pickets or physical surveillance of a permanent nature were given to the 5th respondent's house except a routine patrol through the area, as is normally done when such requests are received."

The affidavit thereby implies that promising results will bear fruit in the ongoing investigation initiated against the dealer. 

Also Read: Kerala High Court Directs Probe Into Controversial Antique Dealer's Alleged Links With Senior Police Officers, Grants Police Protection To His Former Driver 

Case Title: Ajith E.V. v. The Commissioner of Police & Ors.