Thiruvananthapuram: A fresh suspension order was issued to IPS officer Jacob Thomas in connection with the alleged violation of service rules in bringing out his controversial service story 'Sravukalkoppam Neenthumpol' (Swimming along with sharks).
Mr Thomas was already under suspension for his remarks against the government in connection with the Ockhi disaster. However, this order was reportedly caught up in a row for procedural lapses as the state had failed to inform the centre about the suspension of the all-India service officer within the stipulated time of 30 days.
The state government had earlier issued a memo of charges to Mr. Jacob Thomas after a high-level committee led by additional chief secretary Subratha Biswas pointed out over 15 instances of violations in the contents of the book. Moreover, he also did not get the government nod for publishing the book. Mr. Thomas did not reply to the charge memo and hence he was placed under suspension. Disciplinary proceedings would be initiated against him in this connection.
Though Chief Minister Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan was supposed to release the book last year, he backtracked at the last minute owing to reports regarding the controversial contents in it.
A panel headed by additional chief secretary Rajeev Sadanandan had been constituted to initiate the disciplinary proceedings against him in the Ockhi case. But Mr. Thomas, the seniormost IPS officer in service in the Kerala cadre at present, did not appear before the panel.
