Kasragod: It was almost 23 years ago V V Kumaran was dismissed from service citing irregularities in a seizure case where 2 drums of sandalwood oil vanished after raid.

                                     Constable V V Kumaran was dismissed over dereliction of duty

V V Kumaran’s saga began in 1993 when he was serving as a constable in Kasargod police station limits. During a raid on a sandalwood oil factory in Nayammuramule  three cops including Kumaran had seized 2 drums of sandal wood oil which was later brought to police station. The other cops involved in the raid were Kunjhikoran and Damodar.

However the pricey oil vanished and the drums were found filled with water next morning! Kumararn was declared guilty and was held accountable for dereliction of duty and was dismissed from the service on 16th April 1993. Then he turned into a daily wage worker to eke out a living. He lodged a complaint with state administrative tribunal seeking justice in order to prove his innocence in the incident. His 23 years of struggle finally bore fruit and Kuamran was aquitted of all charges recently.

V V Kumaran, now aged 54 has got 2 years of service left if re-instated. The state administrative tribunal headed by retired justice T R Ramachandran in its order has directed the state government to pay all his salary dues and reinstate him in the force with promotion.

The long struggle has brought solace in Kumaran’s own life and whole episode does suggest that ‘Truth Endures’ !