Committee to probe IPS officer Jacob Thomas.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has decided to constitute an enquiry panel headed by additional chief secretary (home) Subrata Biswas for initiating the disciplinary proceedings against suspended IPS officer Jacob Thomas. According to sources, law secretary B.G. Hareendranath would be also made a member in the committee. The government had earlier decided to initiate disciplinary proceedings under all India service rules against Mr Jacob Thomas in connection with his open criticisms against the government in connection with the Ockhi disaster.

Though the chief secretary had earlier sought an explanation from Mr Jacob in this regard, he stood by his statements maintaining that those were based on facts. Hence the government decided to initiate disciplinary actions. Sources said normally an officer senior to the officer facing action would be appointed as enquiry officer. Jacob Thomas is a 1985 batch IPS officer and the senior most serving IPS officer in service in the state. Hence the options for government were limited.

Though Chief Secretary Paul Antony and Additional Chief Secretary Tom Jose were on 1983 and 1984 batch respectively, vigilance probes were initiated against these two officers while Jacob Thomas was vigilance director. Hence appointing any of them could have given scope for criticisms. The only other option left was Subrata Bishwas, who is a 1985 batch IAS officer.

The disciplinary action against Mr Jacob Thomas could range from barring increment to removal from service. In case of major actions like dismissal, nod of the centre would be required. He has over two years of service left. Mr Jacob Thomas, who was serving as Institute of Management in Government director general, was placed under suspension in December last year after he criticised the government for lapses in giving Ockhi warning.  In reply to the show cause notice, he maintained that his statement was based on reports and not his own finding. He further justified his stands, literally retorting to Chief Secretary’s show cause notice.