His explanation that he was a guest at the function and as per protocol was supposed to stand only when the national anthem is played did not go down well with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy who had said 'suitable action' will be taken against the official.
Seeking to put a lid on the controversy over a senior police officer not saluting Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala at a function, the minister on Saturday said that he did not want to pursue the case against the officer and has conveyed this to the Chief Minister.
According to Chennithala, ADGP Rishiraj Singh met him three days ago and explained the whole episode. "Rishiraj Singh, ADGP, met me and explained about the whole episode. He told me that had he known that I was there, he would have stood up. So, I feel that this matter is closed," the Home Minister said.
Chennithala further said that Singh had told him that he did not act wilfully. "I do not want to prolong this case any more... He has said that he did not do it wilfully," the Home Minister said, adding that he has told the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary that no action be taken against him. As Home Minister, Chennithala said, his prime duty was to see that all the policemen work together.
"Whether they salute me or not has nothing to do with me. I do not mind that," he added. Singh had courted controversy last month after he failed to acknowledge the presence of the Home Minister at the passing out parade of women police personnel at the Police Academy in Thrissur.
When the Home Minister made his entry at the function, Singh, in charge of Armed Forces Battalion, who was seated on a sofa, continued to do so and did not proceed to welcome the minister or salute him. The officer had later clarified that the minister had entered through the rear side of the venue, which he had failed to notice. Later, Singh was transfered. The ADGP, who was Kerala State Electricity Board's Chief Vigilance Officer, was transferred to the police department after his consent was sought.
His explanation that he was a guest at the function and as per protocol was supposed to stand only when the national anthem is played did not go down well with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy who had said 'suitable action' will be taken against the official. Taking a serious view of alleged disrespect shown to the state Home Minister, a show cause notice was issued by state Home Department to Rishiraj Singh.
The notice, issued by the department on the instructions of Chandy, sought an explanation from Singh for his behaviour.
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