Jacob Thomas appointed IMG director, says no guarantee that he will complete tenure

Jacob Thomas took charge as director of Institute of Management in Government He said that there is no guarantee that he will complete his tenure of one year The officer also said that media will know about the factors that led to his ouster from the post of Vigilance chief

Former Vigilance Director Jacob Thomas, who returned to work on Monday, has been appointed as the director of Institute of Management in Government (IMG).

On assuming office, Thomas met media persons and said that there is no guarantee that he will complete his tenure. HIs appointment is for one year.

The officer refrained from commenting on leaving the post of vigilance director and instead said that "You will get to know the factors that led to my ouster from the post. However, I am not saying it now, let's see who speaks out first, the government or myself," he said. 

In March, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan asked Thomas to go on leave after Kerala High Court criticised him. He was then serving as the Director of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB). He, at first took leave for a month, but as the period ended he again sought an extension. 

Thomas had courted controversy after he ordered vigilance probe against senior bureaucrats. The state police department went a major reshuffle after Senkumar returned to the post of state police chief through a Supreme Court. As Senkumar took charge as state police chief, Lokanath Behera, who was replaced by Senkumar was given the charge of vigilance and government asked Thomas to take leave.

As the leave period expired, Jacob Thomas wrote government seeking clarity on his new post. It is also learned that in his letter to the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary Thomas also hinted that he should be considered as the next police chief as he is the second-most senior officer in police hierarchy, after Senkumar's retirement in June end. The committee to select next police chief is meeting next week and if Thomas was on leave his name would not be considered for the post. 

Thomas had also courted controversy during his leave period by publishing his autobiography, which was in violation of Police Forces (Restriction of Rights) Act and All India Services (Conduct) Rules.