THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It is curtains for Vigilance director Jacob Thomas. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has asked him to proceed on leave and entrusted the charge of Vigilance to State police chief Loknath Behera. Mr Thomas, who has nearly three more years in service, told media that there “is no meaning in continuing in government service” and that he would unveil his future plan later. According to sources, what triggered the exit of the controversial officer was adverse observations by the High Court and of late, even the possibility that he could be summoned to the Court.
Justice P. Ubaid even wondered how could he remain as Vigilance chief. Although some reports attribute Mr Thomas’ exit to his “uncompromising” stand in a case involving former industry minister E.P. Jayarajan, and also the sports council lottery case, CPM leaders were aware of the diminishing popularity of the Vigilance chief. Mr Thomas, often given to theatrics while addressing the media, has spent a mere three years in uniform out of a total 32 years of service. Many veterans, including former State police chief K.J. Joseph, have been of the opinion that the highly sensitive Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau needed someone well-versed in policing.
The IAS officers were dead against Mr Thomas after a series of actions against senior officers. An inspection carried out by Vigilance at the house of Additional Chief Secretary (finance) K.M. Abraham's house as part of the probe into a petition alleging disproportionate assets had triggered severe criticism as Mr Abraham was considered an officer with high integrity. The IAS officers even made a call for stir after Vigilance arraigned additional chief secretary (industries) Paul Antony as an accused in the nepotism case involving E.P. Jayarajan. A report given by Mr Thomas stating that there were lapses in the chargesheet of Jisha murder case also caused embarrassment to the government.
A set of corruption allegations had also come up against Mr Thomas, the latest being the possession of land in Tamil Nadu which was allegedly concealed by him from his annual property status. Even outgoing chief secretary S.M. Vijayanand had recommended a high-level inquiry against Mr Thomas in connection with irregularities in the purchase of dredger while serving as Ports Director and also suggested that he may be kept off the vigilance chief's post. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had sought the opinion of the director general of prosecution on the matter. The DGP's response is still pending. Mr Thomas came under a cloud after a private petitioner, Paichira Navaz, kept getting possession of crucial vigilance documents. Navaz had filed a series of petitions against IAS-IPS officers after Mr Thomas took over.
