THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson has denied permission to DGP Jacob Thomas to sue Chief Minister Oommen Chandy for the adverse remarks made against him in connection with his removal from the Fire and Rescue Services in September. However, the chief minister has said that he would permit the officer to file a case.
It is said to be for the first time in the state that an IPS officer is seeking permission to move legally against a chief minister.
The chief minister had criticised Mr Thomas in public in connection with his tenure as Fire and Rescue Services commandant- general.
Justifying the decision to remove Mr. Thomas from FRS, the chief minister had stated that the restrictions made by Mr. Thomas on FRS's functioning were causing threat to the life of the people.
Mr Jiji Thomson is learnt to have opined that there was no provision for a civil service officer to move the court against a statement made by the chief minister.
The chief secretary had sought the opinion of the law secretary. Earlier, Supreme Court orders were also cited for denying permission to Mr. Thomas, who is now serving as Kerala Police Housing Construction Corporation chairman and managing director.
Meanwhile, Mr. Oommen Chandy told reporters that once the matter comes to him, he would permit Mr. Thomson to move the court.
“What I had said was only with good intentions as we could not restrict development by imposing construction of buildings above three storeys,” he said.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala also flayed the move of the IPS officer. “Those who hail Mr. Thomas should think whether what he is doing is right,” he told reporters.
Download the all new Deccan Chronicle app for Android and iOS to stay up-to-date with latest headlines and news stories in politics, entertainment, sports, technology, business and much more from India and around the world.
