Ex-Kerala Vigilance chief posted as head of training body

Senior IPS officer Jacob Thomas, who often courted controversy during his tenure as the Vigilance Director and asked to go on leave since April, has been appointed Director of IMG, an apex state-run training body.

Thomas, known for his tough stand against corruption, had gone on leave from April 1 last after being directed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan following Kerala High Court's continuous criticism against his style of functioning.

DGP Loknath Behera was later appointed chief of the anti-corruption agency in place of Thomas, whose style of functioning had also come under criticism from some senior IAS officers.

An order was issued by the government today appointing Thomas as the Director of the Institute of Management in Government as his leave period ended yesterday, official sources here said.
 

After assuming charge as the Director of IMG, he told reporters that he was not sure whether he would complete the one year tenure as IMG Director.

Thomas also said he would reveal later the circumstances and reasons that led to his removal from the post of Vigilance Director.

The second senior most IPS officer in the state after present DGP (law and order) T P Senkumar, Thomas's tenure as Vigilance chief was mirred in controversies.

His stand on a case of nepotism against former Industries Minister E P Jayarajan had drawn the ire of ruling CPI(M).

Two additional chief secretaries, K M Abraham and Tom Jose, too had lodged a complaint with the Chief Minister against Thomas after the Vigilance department conducted raids on their residences over alleged disproportionate assets.

Thomas's autobiography "Sravukalkkoppam Neenthumpol" (Swimming Along with Sharks), released last month, too courted controversy for its alleged adverse observations about certain Congress leaders and former ministers.

The Chief Minister, who had agreed to release the book, skipped the function in the last minute after Congress MLA K C Joseph wrote to him against participating in it.