On Monday, the Central Administrative Tribunal ordered Kerala government to reinstate senior police officer Jacob Thomas, who has been under suspension for two years.
The verdict was considered to be a victory of sorts for Thomas. His reinstatement might cause a major headache for the Left Democratic Front government led by Pinarayi Vijayan.
Thomas was first suspended in 2017 for criticising the government. This despite the fact that he had shared good equation with the chief minister. Vijayan appointed Jacob as the head of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau immediately after coming to power in 2016.
Recently, Thomas hinted that he would join Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He attended a few functions organised by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological mentor of the Sangh Parivar. He even revealed that he had been associating with the outfit for over 20 years.
He hinted his political ambitions on Monday too. Reacting to Onmanorama on the verdict, he said he is more keen on serving the public – a euphomism for turning into a politician – than police force.
“I'm more comfortable in 'mundu' now. I don't feel like going back to Britishers' trousers,” he said.
Asked if 'mundu' can be seen as a symbol of politicians in Kerala, Thomas said, “Those who suffer from the bitter experiences of corrupt politics, including me, have a moral obligation to change it. I will continue as a responsible citizen of this country.”
Thomas said he is waiting for the decision of the Union home ministry on his two appeals. Thomas has challenged the continuous suspension of him from service and the state government's rejection of his request for voluntary retirement from service (VRS). “Union Home Minister Amit Shah has to take a call on them now,” Thomas said.
Tribunal's order
The tribunal, according to Thomas, has ordered to post him either as the state police chief or in an equivalent post as he is the seniormost IPS officer in the state. Onmanorama is in the process of accessing the order.
The equivalent post, according to him, is the head of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau.
Jacob Thomas's career has been peppered with highs and lows. Known as an anti-corruption crusader, he took on top politicians and bureaucrats, under the previous Congress-led United Democratic Front government. He has been transferred 31 times in 30 years.
He was suspended from the post of Director General of Police by the state government on December 2017 for violation of All India Service Rules.
In 2018, Thomas was again suspended over a speech criticising the government. The government in 2018 also ordered a vigilance probe against the IPS officer over alleged discrepancies while serving as the director of Department of Ports.
He wrote a service memoir Sravukalkkoppam Neenthumpol (Swimming with Sharks) in 2017 describing the controversial events over the course of his 30-year career, including a spat with former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. The book caused a storm in the state and invited accusations that the Indian Police Service officer violated the service rules governing government servants and the Official Secrets Act.
Thomas made a bid to contest the recent Lok Sabha election from Chalakudy, but it fizzled out as his application to retire voluntarily from service was yet to be processed.
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