Thaindian News

Thiruvananthapuram, July 6 (IANS) A Kerala inspector general of police, currently under suspension for visiting the Middle East without official sanction, would be reinstated, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said Wednesday.

Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Tomin J. Thachenkery’s suspension is likely to end July 10 as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has given him a clean chit.

The inspector general of police was suspended last April by the then chief minister V.S. Achuthanandan for violating service rules by going abroad without permission.

An NIA probe was ordered against him after reports surfaced that Thachenkery met people with dubious track record during his visit to the Middle East.

“A committee consisting the chief secretary, the director general of police and the home secretary has gone through the letter from the NIA and the union home ministry and decided that he can be taken back,” Chandy told reporters after a cabinet meeting Wednesday.

“There are clear cut rules with regards to suspension and reinstatement. He has been on suspension for long,” said Chandy.

“The investigation in cases against him will continue,” added Chandy.

Last month, the NIA made it clear that it had neither asked for his suspension nor objected to his reinstatement. After this, Thachenkery sent an application to the chief secretary seeking his reinstatement.

Achuthanandan also wrote to Chandy last month and said that Thachenkery should not be reinstated.