Thiruvananthapuram: The government has decided to extend the suspension of senior IPS officer Jacob Thomas for four more months as disciplinary proceedings against him was still pending.
Mr. Thomas was under suspension in connection with the alleged violation of service rules in bringing out his controversial service story 'Sravukalkoppam Neenthumpol' (Swimming along with sharks).
The suspension review committee headed by chief secretary Tom Jose that met the other day decided to extend the suspension, said sources.
Mr Thomas, who was the senior-most serving IPS officer in the state, was suspended in December 2017 in connection with certain remarks he made against the government regarding with the Ockhi disaster. However, that suspension order was reportedly caught up in a row for procedural lapses as the state failed to inform the Centre about the suspension of the All India Service officer within the stipulated time of 30 days.
But the government again suspended him in connection with the service story. Additional chief secretary Rajeev Sadanandan was directed to conduct disciplinary proceedings against Jacob Thomas as he failed to give a reply to a memo charges served to him by the government.
Sources said that the state would have to obtain the Centre's nod for further extension of suspension of an officer beyond one year.
A high level committee headed 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 government nod for bringing out the book.
