Fri Mar 07 16:01:24 UTC 2025: ## Kerala Muslim Jamat Protests Promotion of IAS Officer Involved in Fatal Accident
**Malappuram, Kerala – March 7, 2025** – The Kerala Muslim Jamat has filed a complaint with the Kerala Chief Secretary, protesting the promotion of IAS officer Sriram Venkitaraman. Venkitaraman is currently on trial for charges stemming from a 2019 car accident that resulted in the death of journalist K.M. Basheer.
The complaint, filed by Jamal Karulai, district secretary of the Muslim Jamat, alleges that the promotion violates service rules. Venkitaraman faces charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, evidence tampering, negligent driving, and violating Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Karulai argues that national service rules prohibit the promotion of civil servants facing such serious criminal charges, citing that while they may be permitted to interview for promotion, their performance reports should be sealed until the charges are resolved. The Jamat is demanding a review of the government’s decision to promote Venkitaraman. The IAS officer is currently being tried in the Thiruvananthapuram District and Sessions Court.
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