PIL against Thachankary's reinstatement

July 12, 2011: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday ordered issue of notices to the Central and state governments on a PIL challenging the UDF government’s decision to revoke the suspension and reinstate former IGP Tomin J Thachankary, accused of having links with fundamental outfits.

The government had earlier this month decided to reinstate Thachankery after his suspension period expired on July 10.

The PIL was filed by Boby Kuruvilla of Alappuzha complaining that cases alleging corruption were pending against Thachankery in the vigilance court at Thrissur. His reinstatement could be considered only after the culmination of proceedings, the petitioner contended.

When the PIL came up before a Division bench of Chief Justice J Chelemeswar and Justice PR Ramachandran Menon, they ordered issue of notices to the Centre and state government and Thachankery.

The state government opposed the petition saying that PILs could not be entertained in service matters. The bench orally observed that the petition was not challenging Thachankery’’s seniority or continuance in service, but was against the government decision to reinstate him.

Thachankery had been suspended by the previous LDF government on the charge of undertaking a foreign trip without its consent. Allegations that he had gone abroad to meet activists of fundamental outfits were also levelled.