WhatsApp groups for bureaucrats ‘on basis of religion’: Kerala IAS officer says phone hacked, files police complaint

The “Mallu Hindu Officers” group was formed on October 30 and it had added senior IAS officers, who were Hindu, as its members. However, it was deleted within hours of its creation as several officials flagged the impropriety of such a group.

Gopalakrishnan then informed the members of the group that someone had taken control of his phone and created 11 groups.

Reacting to the controversy, Gopalakrishnan said, “Another group, ‘Mallu Muslim Officers’, was also formed with me as the admin. After colleagues alerted me, I deleted all groups.”

On Monday, he filed a police complaint. City Police Commissioner and Inspector General of Police Sparjan Kumar said, “We have got a complaint from the officer today. Investigation is at the initial stage. Since the groups have been deleted, we have sought details from Whatsapp. Then only can we come to know whether these groups were formed after hacking the phone.”

It was also learnt that the general administration department of the government will seek an explanation from the IAS officer regarding the formation of the groups.

Industries Minister P Rajeev said, “The government will look into the matter. If the groups had emerged on the basis of religion, it is a serious matter. Let the probe be completed.”

The ruling CPI(M)’s state secretary M V Govindan declined to comment on the matter before the probe is completed.

Opposition leader V D Satheesan of the Congress said the formation of such groups are an insult to the state. “CPI leader Annie Raja had earlier alleged that RSS elements had infiltrated the police. Now, we see Hindu groups among IAS officials. Extreme elements have crept into the bureaucracy. Is the state government sitting idle?’’ he asked.