Kerala: Fire service chief Jacob Thomas, who took on builder lobby, removed

In June, Thomas was removed from Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau at a time when the probe against Finance Minister K M Mani in the bar bribery case.

A day after State Fire and Rescue Services Chief Jacob Thomas was removed allegedly under pressure from the builders’ lobby, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy justified the action citing minor lapses in the service.

Under fire from Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan and Congress state chief V M Sudheeran for ‘shunting out’ Thomas, Chandy explained that the IPS officer was responsible for many anti-people circulars and decisions, for which the government was facing flak.

Chandy also said the decision to remove Thomas was a collective one. “It is unfair to blame Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and Urban Affairs Minister M Ali for Thomas’s removal. I take responsibility for the action against Thomas,’’ he said.

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There had been several complaints against Thomas, a DGP-rank officer, Chandy said. As examples of lapses, Chandy pointed out that the fire service did not rush a woman to hospital when she was lying unconscious at the railway station in Kannur. When a fallen tree had blocked a road and stalled traffic, the force did not respond to police calls on the ground that it was not their duty to remove the tree.

The fire service had adopted this line based on a circular issued by Thomas, Chandy said. His actions had thus put the government in the firing line, and such an officer could not be allowed to continue.

The CM added that Thomas had denied NOC for several flats as they did not have a sky lift.

Thomas had locked horns with the powerful builders’ lobby over safety standards at highrises and shopping malls. Since he was appointed Commandant of Fire and Rescue Services in June this year, Thomas had attempted to strictly implement safety regulations for highrises, stone quarrying units which keep explosives and houseboats in the backwaters. During his short term, the fire and rescue department had rejected around 50 applications for NOC from builders.

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Thomas, who is one leave, had said Thursday that he was removed for implementing the law. “I have acted only for public safety. I will not take up the post at Kerala Police Construction Corporation, which was held by a junior officer,’’ he said.

On Friday, Sudheeran openly expressed his displeasure over removing Jacob and said, “The government should not take controversial decisions. Everyone should remain vigilant.”

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

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