Tough task ahead for govt as race to SPC post hots up
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Thiruvananthapuram: With state police chief Sheikh Darvesh Sahib set to retire at the end of this month, the process to appoint Kerala's next state police chief (SPC) has entered a crucial stage.
With the state heading into an election year, the govt is treading carefully in finalising the recommendation, balancing seniority, experience and political compatibility.
Among the front-runners is Ravada A Chandrasekhar, a 1991-batch IPS officer currently serving as secretary (security) in the cabinet secretariat. Chandrasekhar recently visited Thiruvananthapuram and is learnt to have met chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and chief secretary A Jayathilak, who is also his batchmate, formally expressing interest in returning to state service to take up the top post.
While Chandrasekhar was earlier viewed as a strong contender for the post of director, Intelligence Bureau (IB), the Centre's decision to extend incumbent IB chief Tapan Kumar Deka's tenure by another year has shifted the equation, with Chandrasekhar now eyeing the SPC role. If appointed, he would be eligible for an additional year in service, extending his career beyond the current 2026 retirement date.
In terms of seniority among officers of DGP rank in Kerala, Chandrasekhar stands second, just below Nitin Agarwal, another strong contender.
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The UPSC is likely to forward a panel of three names to the state, based on the state's recommendation and cadre seniority. As it stands, the probable shortlist may include Agarwal, Chandrasekhar and Yogesh Gupta.
Following them in the seniority order is DGP Manoj Abraham, who is widely regarded across all political and administrative fronts as field-experienced and acceptable, and his name is expected to remain relevant through the final stages of the decision-making process.
Further down the list are additional DGPs Suresh Raj Purohit and M R Ajith Kumar. While Purohit is currently on central deputation with the Special Protection Group (SPG), Ajith Kumar has been keeping a low profile following the thick controversies that surrounded him in the recent past. Also, both officers face a key eligibility barrier — neither has completed 30 years of service, which may effectively rule them out of contention for the top post.
The appointment comes at a politically sensitive time, with the 2026 assembly elections not far away. The leadership of the police force during this period is expected to play a significant role in maintaining law and order, managing public perception, and ensuring administrative stability. As such, the final decision is likely to be influenced not just by service records and seniority but also by the state govt's comfort level with the officer's administrative style and political alignment.
Political observers note that the CPM-led govt has shown flexibility in past appointments. In 2016, the party fielded M V Nikesh Kumar, son of M V Raghavan whom CPM held responsible for the Koothuparamba police firing as the LDF candidate in Azhikode, and later inducted him into the Kannur district committee. This shift demonstrated the party's willingness to look beyond emotional baggage when it serves broader political or strategic goals.
Similarly, Raman Srivastava, once a close aide of K Karunakaran, was appointed as chief advisor to CM Pinarayi Vijayan, again highlighting the CPM's pragmatic approach. The UPSC is expected to finalise a three-member panel based on seniority and service records, from which the state govt will choose the next police chief.
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