M R Ajith Kumar, was in race for DGP Kerala, is now Excise Commissioner

The Kerala government has appointed M R Ajith Kumar, IPS, as the new Excise Commissioner, replacing Mahipal Yadav IPS, who is on extended medical leave. Ajith Kumar is a 1995-batch IPS officer. The government has also created the Excise Commissioner post as the ex-cadre post, which is effective immediately. Ajith Kumar was previously among the front-runners for the post of state Police Chief. Although the state government recommended his name along with those of DGP Manoj Abraham and ADGP Suresh Raj Purohit, the UPSC shortlisted only officers who met its strict eligibility criteria. Eventually, Ravada A Chandrasekhar was appointed as the state DGP.