Kochi: The Central Administrative Tribunal today ordered the immediate reinstatement of IPS Jacob Thomas leaving the CPM led LDF government on the backfoot. While observing the continuous suspension of the IPS officer was not appropriate the Division Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal directed the government to immediately reclaim the service and grant it equal status.
Though Jacob Thomas was a close aide of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, it was when he raised allegations against the UDF government, he becomes the target of political revenge. Thomas was first suspended in December (2017) for making a speech against corruption on International Anti-Corruption Day.
He was then suspended again in March (2018) for writing two innocuous books in Malayalam, an autobiography and one on capacity building in governance. He has been banned from travelling abroad, and not permitted to visit his daughter who lives in Muscat. Following this Thomas approached the Centre and they passed an order in his favour.
Responding to the verdict, Thomas said he is happy, and stated that the judiciary is functioning well. He added that the new order is a message to those in service to speak about the corruption and trust that the judiciary will support them. He also said that the solution to corruption is to raise your voice.
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