Jacob Thomas has right to speak up: VS Achuthanandan

In a statement, Achuthanandan said that honest officials could not be cowed down with the threat of disciplinary action. The rights guaranteed under the constitution are applicable to all citizens including officers.

He said prior to initiating disciplinary action against Jacob Thomas, the chief minister and home minister should read November 22, 2014 Supreme Court judgement in Vijaya Sankar Pandey vs Union of India case.

Reacting against misgovernance cannot be considered as reaction against the government policy. Corruption and misgovernance is not policy matter hence reacting against such issue in no way is violation of rules.

Threats issued to honest officials reacting against such issues are aimed at covering up such corrupt deeds. This is the essence of the Supreme Court verdict, he said.

Achuthanandan said the probe against K M Mani in bar bribe case began when Jacob Thomas was in vigilance department. It was during the investigations carried out under his direction that SP Sukesan came out with the factual report.

The government sabotaged the report and asked vigilance director to rewrite and submit before court. He said Jacob Thomas had publicly reacted on this particular issue as it was the responsibility and duty of each citizen.