S. Sreejith Set to Become DGP, Overtaking M.R. Ajith Kumar? Crucial Reshuffle Likely as Nitin Agrawal Retires

Thiruvananthapuram: A major reshuffle is on the cards in the top ranks of the Kerala Police as Director General of Fire and Rescue Services Nitin Agrawal is set to retire later this month. With a DGP-rank vacancy opening up, indications are that S. Sreejith, the current Director General of Prisons and a 1996-batch IPS officer, is likely to be considered for promotion. Meanwhile, the prospects of Excise Commissioner M.R. Ajith Kumar, who is senior to Sreejith, appear to have diminished in the wake of controversies and ongoing inquiries.
At present, State Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar, Road Safety Commissioner Yogesh Gupta, and Vigilance Director Manoj Abraham are the other officers holding DGP rank in Kerala. Agrawal’s retirement will create the fourth DGP-rank vacancy in the state.
According to the seniority list, the first in line is 1995-batch IPS officer Suresh Raj Purohit. However, as he is currently serving on Central deputation with the Special Protection Group (SPG), responsible for the Prime Minister’s security, he is unlikely to return to the Kerala cadre. A pro forma promotion to the DGP rank is considered the most likely option in his case.
The next senior officer is Excise Commissioner M.R. Ajith Kumar. However, official sources indicate that the controversies surrounding him in recent months, along with multiple inquiries, may adversely affect his chances of securing the promotion.
Against this backdrop, S. Sreejith has emerged as the leading contender for the post. His unblemished service record, extensive administrative experience, and the confidence he enjoys within the government are believed to be key factors working in his favour.
A native of Kozhikode, Sreejith has held several key positions, including Crime Branch Chief, Transport Commissioner, Inspector General of Police (Ernakulam Range), Sabarimala Coordinator, and Additional Director General of Police (Cyber Operations). He has led investigations into several high-profile criminal cases and has been honoured with the President’s Police Medal for his investigative excellence, among other distinctions.
Apart from his policing career, Sreejith is also known as a talented singer and an active participant in cultural programmes. He enjoys a strong public connect through social media and is regarded as one of Kerala Police’s most people-friendly officers. His elevation to the DGP rank is expected to bring significant changes to the state’s police leadership.