Crime branch to probe phone tapping of Jacob Thomas

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The hacking of the emails and phone tapping of vigilance director Jacob Thomas will be probed by the crime branch, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed the assembly. He said this while replying to the adjournment motion brought by the opposition seeking a probe by a central agency.

Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, who sought permission for the motion said there is a cold war in the vigilance department.However, the chief minister who explained that Thomas has not lodged a complaint on phone tapping, first said the DGP will conduct a probe on it and later corrected it and said the crime branch will probe it.  

The vigilance director expressed his anxiety based on media reports that his phone has been tapped. It is not government’s policy to tap officials’ phone. The complaint of Thomas is not like the one raised by the opposition. He just informed some of his grievances. There are some moves against him and some facing probe are likely to be behind it. However, the government will give all support for the smooth functioning of his activities and full freedom has been given to him. The government will not intervene in the activities of the vigilance. Following chief minister’s reply, the speaker denied permission for the motion.  In protest against it, the opposition walked out of the assembly.