Crime Branch set to book Jacob Thomas

Thiruvananthapuram: The Crime Branch will register a case against former vigilance director DGP Jacob Thomas, IPS, who is on suspension for writing a book without the permission of the government. This is following the findings of the committee, appointed for departmental enquiry, that the book 'Sravukalkoppan Neendumbol' had violated the Official Secrets Act by revealing many service secrets.

The committee has forwarded the instruction to the Crime Branch for filing a criminal case against Mr. Thomas.

The government-appointed three-member committee had found out that writing a biography without the permission of the government was a violation of law.

The committee with Home department Additional Chief Secretary Subratho Biswas as the chairman and Law Secretary B.G. Hareendranath and PRD Director K. Ambady as members found that 'Sravukalkoppan Neendumbol' had criticisms that violate norms at 11 places in 50 pages.

Sources said that the charges would invite a jail term of up to two years. The committee also said that revealing the details of Pattoor case, which is under consideration of the court, is also against law.

The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau had filed a FIR in the Thiruvananthapuram vigilance court and inquiry commission last week against Mr Thomas on charges of conspiracy, corruption and bid-rigging in the procurement of costly dredging equipment when he was director of Ports (DOP) during 2011-12.

Mr Thomas is on suspension since December 2017 for not taking sanction before writing his service story. His suspension was extended twice once for criticising the government and again in December 2018 for another six months over the corruption case.