It seems that it is not just his infamous Ockhi speech—where he had made a scathing criticism against the Left Government's cyclone relief measures—that resulted in the suspension of former VACB chief Jacob Thomas. Barely five days before he was suspended, the ever controversial IPS officer was issued a letter seeking explanations regarding his second book Neritta Velluvilikal, Karyavum Karanavum (Challenges Faced, Facts and Reasons).
The letter signed by the then Chief Secretary K.M. Abraham on December 15—a copy of it is with THE WEEK—says that the book “contains several comments on government actions and policies which are to be considered as adverse criticism.” The then chief secretary's letter has also pointed out that the book is “in violation of provisions under Rule 7 (i) of All India (Services) Conduct Rules, 1968.”
The letter also alleged that Jacob Thomas had not obtained necessary permission before publishing the book. Abraham has also referred to 39 statements in the book which the government has found critical and in violation of the service rules. This includes references to the Pattoor land scam involving ministers in the former UDF Government, Medicity, treasures in the Padmanabha Swamy Temple and his appointment as the VACB Director.
“Though suspension of Jacob Thomas was in the name of the Ockhi speech, his second book also has contributed. The government had strong reservations against certain portions in the book,'' said a source in the know. Jacob Thomas is learnt to have given a prompt reply to the letter issued on December 15. “The reply also was equally provocative, and it is what led to his prompt suspension,” said the source.
Neritta Velluvilikal Karyavum Karanavum was released at the Sharjah International Book Festival in the first week of December by actor-activist Sreenivasan. The IPS officer's first book Sravukalkkoppam Neenthumbol (Swimming with Sharks) had resulted in the government initiating criminal and departmental action against the senior most IPS officer in the State on the ground that he violated the service rules by commenting on cases under judicial scrutiny in his service story. Undeterred, Jacob Thomas soon came up with a second book while he was serving as the director of Institute of Management in Governance (IMG).
The first round of action against Jacob Thomas was taken upon on the basis of the recommendations made by a committee constituted by former chief secretary Nalini Netto for a detailed evaluation of the book. She had noted that the references to political functionaries, statutory bodies like the high court, Lokayukta and the CBI in the book appeared to be a deviation from a neutral political stand expected from a civil services officer.
