Vigilance rules out quick verification against DGP Jacob Thomas

Thiruvananthapuram: The Vigilance Special Investigation Unit-II (SIU-II) has concluded that there was no scope for even a quick verification into a petition against former Vigilance director, DGP Jacob Thomas. It is learnt that the SIU-II came to the  conclusion that the allegations that  Mr Jacob Thomas illegally possessed 50 acres of land at Rajapalayam in Tamil Nadu were looked into and rejected earlier also. It also maintained that the petitioner Sathyan hailing from Naravoor in Kannur failed to give any valid proof to substantiate the allegations.

Meanwhile, Vigilance director Loknath Behera told DC that he was yet to receive  a report in this regard from SIU-II. It is for the Vigilance director to decide whether to order a quick verification or not. He can either accept SIU-II's opinion or reject it on the basis of available documents, said sources. SIU-II SP K. Jayakumar had collected a statement from the petitioner on Thursday as part of verifying the veracity of the petition. SIU-II sources said that Sathyan could only submit copies of some written petitions against  Mr Jacob Thomas and not any solid evidence.

Meanwhile, the ongoing Vigilance action is crucial to  Mr Jacob Thomas for staking his  claim to the  state police chief post as Mr T.P. Senkumar retires from service this month. Among the IPS officers serving in Kerala at present, Mr Jacob Thomas is the seniormost after  Mr Senkumar. Next to him is Vigilance director Behera.   Mr Jacob Thomas is now serving as director-general of the Institute of Management in Kerala.