Former deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn on Tuesday petitioned the House committee on national strategy and reforms to investigate national police chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch for alleged misconduct and abuse of power.
The petition, accepted by committee chairman Rangsiman Rome, claimed that Pol Gen Kittharath acted unlawfully and in bad faith when he ordered a disciplinary probe in April this year to look into a Chulalongkorn University law exam scandal.
Pol Gen Surachate said that the investigation falsely named him as a suspect in a criminal case despite the police chief being fully aware that he was never charged in connection with the alleged theft of exam papers.
Even though this was later corrected, the damage was done to his reputation and he had already filed a defamation lawsuit with the Criminal Court, he said.
He claimed that the probe against him was an attempt to block his possible return to the police force. He added that he has now filed two criminal defamation lawsuits against Pol Gen Kittharath and plans to take the case to the corruption and misconduct court.
The controversy dates back to March this year, when cyber police arrested figures connected to the Betflik online gambling network, ultimately uncovering communications among officers about removing exam papers from Chulalongkorn’s evening law programme.
Kanittha Lertbanjerdwong, also known as Dr Nid, was identified as a key intermediary who claimed to be Pol Gen Surachate’s personal secretary.
According to the investigation team, evidence indicated she delivered stolen exam papers to Pol Gen Surachate’s legal team for completion before returning them to examination authorities.
Ms Kanittha was arrested in April while Pol Gen Surachate maintained he was never involved in any way.
Mr Rangsiman said the panel will examine the complaint and review all evidence to ensure transparency and fairness, adding that Pol Gen Kittharath might be summonsed to answer questions.