Kerala awaits IPS officer Jacob Thomas' 'tell all' autobiography

The day his bare-all autobiography on 30 years of his professional experience is set to release, senior Kerala IPS officer Jacob Thomas said he paid the price for fighting corruption but has no regrets. 

The book "Sravukalkkoppam Neenthumbol" (While Swimming along with Sharks) will be released by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club.

Kerala former Vigilance Director Thomas said the book is about his life. "I have written my life experiences, which are my own. No one can tell it as accurately what I have experienced', the officer told PTI. 

"My experiences in public administration is not a solo act. There will be other participants and players and it is natural that they will get a mention in the book," Thomas said when asked about 'sharks' in his book. 

The 1985 batch IPS officer has attacked many leaders and former ministers, including former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Kerala Congress (B) leader K Balakrishna Pillai and CPI's C Divakaran and mentioned how the investigation of some controversial corruption cases was sabotaged. 

In a veiled attack on Chandy, he has stated that those who wanted to protect erstwhile Excise Minister K Babu from bribery charges in the bar case, were responsible for his removal as Vigilance ADGP. 

"I have mentioned very good Congress ministers also," he said. 

Asked if he had been soft towards the Left politicians, Thomas replied in the negative, saying "I have not been soft even on myself. I have a chapter devoted to my own follies and mistakes." 

Thomas said his postings as Kochi police commissioner during which he raided the Rama Varma Club and as chairman and managing director in the Kerala Civil Supplies Corporation (Supplyco) were 'tough struggling periods,' which he weathered and had to 'pay the price for fighting corruption.' 

If provided another opportunity, the senior IPS officer said he would 'run the same way.' 

"From Kuttiyadi police station job, my first independent posting in 1987 to Director of Vigilance in 2017... I would do the same thing if I am asked to re-run and I have absolutely no regrets,' Thomas said, adding he was always on the side of good governance. 

Thomas, known for his tough stand against corruption, said he was still in service. 

"Some of the sharks are dead and gone and some are still there and some new sharks have come. Those who are against the good governance in the state are the sharks," he said. 

Asked when he would be joining the service, Thomas said he was yet to decide. Thomas, whose working style often triggered controversy, was asked to go on leave by the government on March 31 after the Kerala High Court criticised him over various cases pending before it. 

The development has come as a surprise as Chief Minister Vijayan had all along been supporting Thomas despite senior bureaucrats' expressing displeasure. They had even threatened to go on mass casual leave alleging that Thomas was acting with a vendetta. 

Thomas' stand on a case of nepotism against former Industries Minister E P Jayarajan had invited the ire of ruling CPI(M) also. The 240-page Autobiography is the 11th book by Thomas, who has penned works on Strategic Management, Environment and Leadership.