THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: DGP Jacob Thomas on Thursday extended his leave for a month following a directive from the state government. Mr Thomas while being the director of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau had first taken leave on April 1 under instructions from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Though the officer had then cited personal reasons for taking long leave, it is no secret that the adverse observations of the High Court and a series of controversies related to IPS-IAS spat had caused huge embarrassment to the government.
Mr Thomas extended the leave by a month again on May 2. The officer extended leave for the third time now since there is no suitable post available at the moment in the department to accommodate him. Moreover the government wants to buy time till T. P. Senkumar’s retirement on June 30. Lok Nath Behera who made way for Senkumar following the Supreme Court verdict, is currently director of VACB. Sources said the government is exploring the possibility of bringing back Behera as state police chief post Senkumar’s retirement.
However, the government is yet to take a call on reinstating Jacob Thomas as vigilance director. There were sharp differences between Jacob Thomas and the home department on vigilance cases pertaining to E. P. Jayarajan, K. M. Mani, sports lottery and controversy related to IAS officers. With a section of CPM leaders still cut up with the officer, the chances of putting him back as in charge of vigilance looks unlikely. A set of corruption allegations had also come up against Mr Thomas including the possession of land in Tamil Nadu which was allegedly concealed by him from his annual property status.
