Kochi, June 12 (IANS): The Kerala High Court on Monday slammed the state government over last month's rejig in the police department, in which Tomin J. Thachenkery was appointed Additional Director General of Police, days before T.P. Senkumar was reinstated the state police chief.

The court asked if Thachenkery's posting was made to keep a tab on Senkumar and said if that is the case it should be cancelled.

The court made this observation while hearing a petition filed by Jose Thomas, a social activist who stated that it was an unprecedented action by the authorities that just before Senkumar was to take charge as the Director General of Police (DGP), Thachenkery was appointed as ADGP and a huge section of middle and high ranking police officials were reshuffled.

The court also asked what was the need for such a reshuffle.

It is well known within the police department that Senkumar and Thachenkery do not enjoy the best of relations. While Senkumar was in a stand-off with the Pinarayi Vijayan government, Thachenkery is its blue eyed boy.

The decision to remove Senkumar was made the day Vijayan took over as the Chief Minister in May last year.

It took Senkumar an 11-month legal battle to get his post back. The Supreme Court last month came down heavily on the Vijayan government and said Senkumar should be reinstated.

Senkumar is to retire from service on June 30.