Kochi/Thiruvananthapuram: The Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau (VACB) on Friday conducted raids at properties owned by additional chief secretary Tom Jose on the strength of an FIR registered against him for amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income. The VACB found that Tom Jose amassed Rs 1.91 crore in the last six-and-a- half years. The income exceeds by 62.35 per cent, the Vigilance submitted before Muvattupuzha Vigilance Court.
In his defence, Mr Tom Jose said the whole issue was looked into earlier and examined by the home secretary and nothing wrong was found. A VACB team conducted raids at the flat of Tom at Vellayambalam and his office at the Secretariat. While the raid at the flat began by 7 am, the raid at the office began by 11 am. Vigilance officials remained tight-lipped on the outcome of the raids. A raid was also conducted at the house of Dr Anitha Jose, of Parasseril Vellilapilly near Ramapuram, Kottayam.
At present, Tom Jose is working as principal secretary, labour and skills department. According to Vigilance SP V.N. Sasidharan, Tom Jose, while working as a government servant from January 1, 2010 to September 30, 2016, was found in possession of pecuniary resources and properties disproportionate to his known sources of income. The total assets acquired by the accused during the period was pegged at Rs 2.39 crore while the total expenditure was Rs 72.20 lakh. The total income was calculated at Rs 1.91 crore.
The assets and expenditure taken together do not commensurate with his known sources of income, during the above period. They exceed the income by Rs 1.91 (62.35 per cent) which he cannot satisfactorily account for. The accused has committed an offence punishable under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. When, contacted, the additional chief secretary said; “I don’t really understand what is the call about. Home secretary had prepared a report following which the government had dropped all proceedings. Now based on the petition from a person of a criminal record it is being take up. How can it happen in a civilised society?” He said the future course of action would be taken later.
