Kerala Director General of Police Jacob Thomas, who’s underneath suspension for the beyond 18 months for alleged violation of carrier regulations, is now facing a crook case and termination hazard for writing his autobiography. The grievance changed into filed via the General Administration Department in the direction of Chief Secretary Tom Jose. The police’s Crime Branch wing registered a criminal case in opposition to Thomas for penning his bare-all autobiography. Sravukalkkoppam Neenthumbol’ (Swimming With Sharks) without in search of previous permission from the better-ups.
In the 240-web page book, the 1985-batch IPS officer had attacked many leaders, such as former chief minister Oommen Chandy, and noted how the research of a few controversial corruption cases had been sabotaged.
The book information his existence from early life in a hilly hamlet of significant Kerala to his studies as an all-India carrier officer. According to the FIR, Thomas had allegedly found out inside the e-book authentic secrets and techniques, which had come to his understanding in his capability because of the vigilance director, for that reason violating the Police-Forces (Restriction of Rights) Act, 1966.
If determined guilty, Thomas will have to face imprisonment for up to 2 years and a great. A departmental action by the country government, based on these charges, may result in the DGP’s termination. Thomas, however, stated no earlier permission turned into wished before publishing the ebook because it got here under the category of literary works. He also claimed there were no new revelations in his e-book. However, that already become in the public domain. The officer had triggered a row by starting up a probe against high-profile individuals, consisting of ministers, politicians, and bureaucrats, during his over one-12 months tenure as leader of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Department.
He became later transferred as the director of the Institute of Management in Governance earlier than being placed under suspension in December 2017 for his feedback in opposition to the Pinarayi Vijayan authorities’ handling of the Ochi cyclone. It may be for the primary time within u. S. That an IPS officer is being located underneath suspension constantly for any such long period,” Thomas advised PTI. The crook case registered towards me for writing a book is part of the persevering with retaliatory measures taken by the LDF government.
It is proof of extreme “revenge and retaliation” by the authorities toward an officer who isn’t in their suitable books. The officer said, alleging the entire government machinery was being misused to suppress free speech.
When contacted, Additional Chief Secretary (Health and Family Affairs) Rajeev Sadanandan, who conducted a departmental inquiry in opposition to Thomas on various prices, stated he had submitted two reports to the government. I have submitted inquiry reports — one regarding his autobiography and the second on his debatable speech, in which he had made anti-authorities feedback.
But, I cannot monitor the details of the file or my guidelines,” Sadanandan advised PTI. Thomas claimed that the criminal case registered below the Police Force (Restriction of Right) Act became no longer even applicable to an all-India provider reputable and only applicable to those recruited below the kingdom police. Criminal lawsuits have been initiated weeks after a vigilance case changed into slapped in opposition to Thomas for the alleged financial irregularities as the director of ports in the procurement of a dredger at some stage in length 2009-14; a charge rejected in advance by using the Vigilance Department and Vigilance courtroom after an inquiry.
