Senior IPS officer draws flak from CM Chandy over comments on Kerala bar bribery case

Reacting to Thomas’ opinion, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy warned that the government would not allow any official to grow beyond the system.

Thomas had earlier drawn flak from Chandy over denying NOC to high rises when had served as the chief of the Fire and Rescue Services. Subsequently, Chandy removed Thomas from fire and rescue services.

DGP (law and order) T P Senkumar said Thomas should not have commented on bar case. “Thomas is spreading wrong information about the case. He would face disciplinary action. Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau director Vinson M Paul is a honest and efficient investigating officer. He has the right to interfere in a case investigated by a subordinate officer,” said Senkumar.

Paul, an officer in the rank of DGP, had vacated as Vigilance Chief after the court rejected the petition to close the report.

Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson also joined Senkumar in attacking Thomas, now managing director of Kerala State Police Construction Corporation.

Thomson said it was wrong on the part of Thomas to make such a comment.

Thomas had locked horns with the government over taking on builders who violated safety norms.

Last week, the government has sought explanation from Thomas for publicity stating that the builders had met the Chief Minister and Home minister Ramesh Chennithala several times to exert pressure on them to get the illegal buildings ratified. Irked over Thomas comments, the government has sought explanation from him.