Recommendation to reinstate Jacob Thomas, Pinarayi to take final call

Thiruvananthapuram: DGP Jacob Thomas is likely to return to police service soon after the disputed disciplinary action against him.

A recommendation seeking to reinstate him in service has been sent to the Kerala Chief Secretary by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department in the wake of the recent order of the central tribunal over his suspension by the Kerala government. However, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will take a final call over bringing back the suspended IPS officer.

The recommendation comes after the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) recently ruled that Thomas, the senior-most officer in the state with DGP-rank, cannot be kept suspended from service for long.

Thomas has been under suspension since December 2017 for criticising the state government over the relief efforts post Cyclone Ockhi.

Even after the tribunal order in July, the state government did not take any favourable action, prompting Thomas to approach the tribunal again. Then after an explanation was sought from the government, the Home Department has proposed his reinstatement. (Pinarayi himself heads the Home Department.)

Even if it is decided to take back Thomas, he is likely to be given low-profile jobs, citing the Vigilance and Crime Branch cases against the IPS officer.

VRS application

The Centre had recently informed the state government that the application for voluntary retirement submitted by Jacob Thomas cannot be accepted. The application cannot be approved as the three-month prior notification was not given, the state was told.

The state also refused voluntary retirement.

The state government had earlier submitted to the Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions all information pertaining to the Vigilance and Crime Branch cases against the police officer. It was also apprised of the case on criticising the government.