Thiruvananthapuram: A departmental inquiry has been ordered against SP Chaitra Teresa John after the IPS officer raided CPM district committee office in Thiruvananthapuram. The inquiry follows Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s intervention after the CPI(M) alleged the raid was intended to malign party’s image. The IPS officer was also served a show-cause notice by the Home Department.

Chaitra was removed from her temporary responsibilities of DCP (Law and Order) and reinstated in the Women's Cell. She was filling in for DCP R Adithya, who was called back from leave with immediate effect after the raid.

The controversial raids that shocked the upper echelons of the ruling party followed the attack on the Medical College Police Station here on January 23 allegedly by a gang of nine DYFI supporters.

The DYFI workers pelted stones at the station after police denied them permission to meet the two CPM activists who were arrested in connection with a case registered under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences act (POCSO).

A city special branch report received information that the culprits were hiding in the party office at Mettukkada. A team headed by Chaitra went in to raid the office, but CPM workers there stopped them initially, but gave in and the raid was carried out after the DCP stood her ground.

Chaitra was given additional charge of DCP when Adithya was sent on Sabarimala duty. The latter who was supposed to take charge on January 21 had availed a four-day leave after returning from Sabarimala.

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