It was a list prepared long time ago and the report had created a misunderstanding, he told reporters.
The report was not correct, he said, adding the government would not retain any officials with criminal character in the police force.
It also gave a wrong impression. Out of the number of officials mentioned in the list, cases pending against most of them were on petty issues such as family quarrel and dispute with neighbours, Chandy said.
However, he said there were some with cases connected with serious criminal character.
Noting that the government used to take action against such persons as and when it came to its notice, Chandy said 13 police personnel had been dismissed on account of criminal background, 226 personnel were suspended and departmental action taken against 123.
According to information collected from police headquarters by human rights activists under the Right to Information Act, there were 533 police personnel with criminal cases pending.
The details of the police officers were submitted in the high court last August.
