The Kerala Muslim Jamat has lodged a complaint with the Chief Secretary against the promotion of Sriram Venkitaraman, the civil servant involved in a car crash that reportedly led to the death of journalist K.M. Basheer in August 2019.

Muslim Jamat district secretary Jamal Karulai said in his complaint that service rules had been violated in promoting Mr. Venkitaraman as Joint Secretary.

The IAS officer is facing trial in the District and Sessions Court, Thiruvananthapuram, on various charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, causing the disappearance of evidence, and negligent driving. Besides, he is being tried under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act for driving in a manner dangerous to the public.

Quoting national service rules for IAS officers’ promotion, Mr. Karulai said that civil servants involved in such serious crimes should not be given promotions, though they could be allowed to attend interviews for promotion. Instead, their performance report should be kept in a sealed cover, and their promotion should be considered only after they were absolved of the charges, he added.

“We strongly demand that the government review its decision to promote Mr. Venkitaraman,” Mr. Karulai said.