Thiruvananthapuram: Senior IPS officer Jacob Thomas may face action for his controversial autobiography Sravukalkoppam Neenthumpol (Swimming along with sharks) as chief secretary Nalini Netto has pointed out serious violation of service rules. It is learnt that Ms Netto gave a report to the Chief Minister that Mr Thomas did not seek permission for writing the autobiography containing service matters and that he did not even produce a copy of the book for review to the government before releasing it.
The chief secretary also pointed out that 14 points in the book amounted to violation of service rules as official matters were referred to.
Sources said that the government may seek an explanation from Mr Thomas and constitute a panel to review the book to frame charges against him. Law secretary B.G. Hareendranath had also pointed out that the autobiography contained serious violations.
The fresh controversy may also delay Mr. Thomas’s re-entry into service as he was on leave for nearly two months and Mr Loknath Behera was posted as Vigilance director in his place.
Mr Thomas was not available for comments on the controversy. However, sources close to him said that he was also exploring the options of taking up a career in the education or agriculture sector.
It may be recalled that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who had agreed to release the book on Monday, had backtracked at the last minute after Congress MLA K.C. Joseph wrote a letter to him citing the violations involved in the book. Subsequently, Mr. Thomas released the book by handing over a copy to Edamalakuddy grama panchayat president V. Govindraj.
