Jacob Thomas (police officer)

Last updated

Jacob Thomas
IPS
Jacob-Thomas-IPS.jpg
Born (1960-05-15) 15 May 1960 (age 64)
Kottayam, Kerala, India
Alma mater
SpouseDaisy Jacob
Police career
Allegiance Indian Police Service
Department Kerala Police
Service years34
StatusDirector General of Police (Retd.)
Rank Director General of Police (Retired)
Awards

Jacob Thomas (born 15 May 1960) is a retired Indian Police Service officer, writer and researcher. He is popularly known as former Director of Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB), Government of Kerala, [1] and a recipient of the Police Medal for Meritorious Service as well as the Newsmaker of the Year Award of Malayala Manorama. He retired on 31 May 2020, as the head of Shoranur Metal Industries and spent the last day in office by sleeping on the floor. [2] [3] His 34-year police career attracted several controversies such as undisclosed property of over 50 acres in Tamil Nadu, [4] encroached forest land of 151 acres in the name of his wife in Kodagu, Karnataka [5] among many others.

Contents

Biography

Born on 15 May 1960 at Teekoy, a village in Kottayam district of the south Indian state of Kerala, Jacob Thomas did his schooling at St. Mary's High School in Teekoy after which he completed the pre-degree course at St. George's College Aruvithura before graduating in BSc Agricultural from KAU. Subsequently, he secured PG and PhD degrees from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Later, obtained a second PhD in human resources development. He also earned a postgraduate diploma in Environment and Sustainable Development. In 1984, he passed the Civil Services Exam to be inducted into the service in 1985. [6]

Jacob Thomas is married to Daisy. [7]

Career

Thomas started his police service in 1987 as an Assistant Superintendent of Police, his initial postings were at Thodupuzha and Kasaragod and in 1989, he was promoted as the Superintendent of Police at the Criminal Investigation Department, a post he held until 1991 when he was appointed as the managing director of the Plantation Corporation of Kerala Limited. [8] His next posting was at the Kerala State Horticulture Products Development Corporation (Horticorp), as its managing director in 1993. [9] He went back to police service in 1997 as the Commissioner of Police of Kochi [10] and returned to the Crime Investigation Department as a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in 1998 but his tenure there was short as he was moved to the Kerala Women's Commission as its director the next year. He held the post for almost five years before moving to the Motor Vehicles Department of the Government of Kerala in 2003 as the Joint Transport Commissioner. [11]

The next posting of Thomas was as the Chief Investigation Officer of the Kerala State Human Rights Commission in 2003, followed by postings as the senior advisor of administration at the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, in 2004 and as the chairman and managing director of the Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation, the same year. [6] He became the chairman of the board of directors of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation, [12] simultaneously serving as a member of the board of governors of Sree Chitra Thirunal College of Engineering, as a member of the board of directors of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation and as the managing director of the Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation [13] during the period until 2010 when he was appointed as the managing director of the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation. [8] [14] He also held the position of the director of ports. [15]

Jacob Thomas was promoted as the Additional Director General of Police in 2014 with a placement at the Lokayukta and later at the Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau as its director, a post he held until 2015. [16] He returned to head the Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau in 2016, in between he served as the Director General of the Fire and Rescue Services, Civil Defense and Home Guards and as the chairman and managing director of the Kerala Police Housing & Construction Corporation.

In 2017, he was appointed as the Director General of the Institute of Management in Government, Apex Training Institute of the Government of Kerala, [17] [18] but was suspended from service in December 2017. [19] Though he was reinstated after the period of suspension, he was served a second suspension notice in April 2018, citing the publication of his autobiography as the reason. [20] In December 2018, his suspension was extended by another six months. [21]

Thomas retired from service as the managing director of The Metal Industries Limited, Shoranur on 31 May 2020. [22]

Other activities

Jacob Thomas has been involved with a number of non-governmental organizations such as Top Centre, Darshan, and ExcelKerala, the last one a platform for open exchange of information on governance. [23] He has also been associated with several international agencies such as UNICEF, UNDP, KAF, Department for International Development and Ford Foundation. He authored two books on management, Strategic Management [24] and Environmental Management, [25] besides two other books, Kaaryavum Kaaranavum, a memoirs on his service life [26] and Sraavukalkoppam Neenthumpol (Swimming With The Sharks), his autobiography. [27]

Awards and honours

Jacob Thomas, who has been the captain of the Athletics team of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, Hyderabad and the recipient of the best probationer of the academy, was selected as the Newsmaker of the Year 2015 by Manorama News. [28] He received the President's Police Medal for Meritorious Service from the President of India in 2016. [29]

Controversies

Jacob Thomas retired as the richest police officer in the history of Kerala Police holding declared assets of over Rs 42 crores in 2021. [30] The biggest allegations against Jacob Thomas was that he holds undisclosed land in multiple states including 50 acres in Sethur village in Rajapalayam taluk of Virudhunagar in Tamil Nadu. [4] His actions over the years have earned him the tag of a rebel cop, has been involved in a number of controversies during his career. [6] In January 2017, a writ petition was filed against him at the Muvattupuzha Vigilance Court alleging corrupt practices while he was heading the Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation. [12] His actions as the vigilance director against two additional chief secretaries and E. P. Jayarajan. the then minister of industries, are reported to have forced Pinarayi Vijayan, the chief minister of Kerala, to ask him to go on leave and his return to service was as the head of the Institute of Management in Government, an administrative position. [31] Earlier, he had alleged that his actions against political leaders such as R. Balakrishna Pillai, C. Divakaran and K. Babu were the reasons for removing him from the post of the vigilance director in his first stint. [32] His investigation in the bar bribery case involving K. M. Mani, former finance minister, also attracted media attention. [33] At the time of retirement, he was facing a government-level probe for penning an autobiography without obtaining prior sanction had found him of having committed serious breach of discipline and criminal misconduct that should earn him major disciplinary actions. According to the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, major disciplinary actions include demotion to a lower rank, compulsory retirement and termination from service. [34] [35]

He was demoted from DGP to ADGP by the Kerala Government in January 2020. [36]

Political career

Thomas joined Bharatiya Janata Party in 2021 and was nominated to fight 2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly election from Irinjalakuda constituency. [37] [38] He lost to the candidate of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). [39]

Bibliography

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian Police Service</span> One of the Central Civil Services (IPS)

The Indian Police Service is a civil service under the All India Services. It replaced the Indian Imperial Police in 1948, a year after India became independent from the British Empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tamil Nadu Police</span> Indian law enforcement agency

Tamil Nadu Police is the primary law enforcement agency of the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is over 150 years old and is the fifth largest state police force in India. Tamil Nadu has a police-population ratio of 1:632. The Director General of the Tamil Nadu police is Shankar Jiwal.

The Superintendent of Police (SP) is a rank in Indian police forces held by an officer who serves as the head of a rural police district. Other officers of the same rank may lead specialised wings or units. In cities under commissionerate system, an SP and SSP may serve as the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) under the Commissioner of Police. The SP coordinates with the district magistrate (collector), the administrative head of a revenue district, who has general control and direction over executive magistrates. Additionally, an SP sends monthly reports to the Director General of Police (DGP) through the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

B. Sandhya is a retired officer of the Indian Police Service and a former Director General of the Kerala Fire and Rescue Services, Home Guard, and Civil Defence. She is also known for her literary contributions which have won her a number of awards including the Edasseri Award in 2007. She retired from the service with the rank of Director General of Police on May 31, 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Letika Saran</span> Indian police officer

Letika Saran is the former Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu, India. Earlier she served as the 36th Commissioner of Police in Chennai. She is the only woman to head a metropolitan police organization in India. Before that she was an Additional Director-General of Police (ADGP).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Police ranks and insignia of India</span> List of police ranks in India

Gazetted officers in India include all Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, who are classified as Group A officers, as well as State Police Service officers at the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and above. In most police forces, ranks below Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) are considered subordinate ranks, while DSP and above are supervisory ranks. These officers are organized in a structured hierarchical order.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacob Punnoose</span>

Jacob Punnoose was the Director General of Police (DGP) of Kerala and the State Police Chief. He retired on 31 August 2012 after serving more than 35 years in the Indian Police Service and in Kerala Police. He was succeeded by Sri K.S.Balasubramanian IPS as the State Police Chief on 1 September 2012. He has often been accused of being close to the Kannur lobby within the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Jacob (police officer)</span> Indian retired police officer (born 1955)

Dr. Alexander Jacob IPS is an Indian retired police officer. He rose to the rank of Director General of Police in the Kerala police force heading the prisons department and later assumed charge as the managing director of Kerala Police Housing Construction Corporation. At present he is the Nodal Officer of National University for Police Sciences and Security Studies (NUPSAS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bihar Police</span> Police Service of Bihar

The Bihar Police is the law enforcement agency for the state of Bihar, India, with its headquarters in Patna. It has a sanctioned strength of 111,000 personnel, and as of 2017, employs 77,000 personnel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jammu and Kashmir Police</span> Police department of Jammu and Kashmir, India

The Jammu and Kashmir Police is the police force of Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. JKP was established in 1873 and has primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within Jammu and Kashmir.

The Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) is a senior rank in the Indian Police Service (IPS). It is the second-highest rank in the state police forces of India, below the Director General of Police (DGP) and above the Inspector General of Police (IGP). ADGPs are responsible for overseeing various aspects of police administration, including law and order, investigations, intelligence, training, and modernization.

R. Sreelekha is a former police officer in the Indian Police Service and the first Lady Officer of the IPS from Kerala, India. Sreelekha is also an author and now running a successful YouTube channel- “Sasneham Sreelekha” (With Love, Sreelekha) to share her experiences as a police officer. She has also served as managing director for public sector organisations in Kerala. During her tenure in the CBI, she earned the nickname of 'Raid Sreelekha'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T. P. Senkumar</span> Indian police officer

T P Senkumar (born 10 June 1957) is an Indian lawyer and retired police officer in the Indian Police Service. He served as the State Police Chief of Kerala.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">V. Joseph Thomas</span> Indian police chief (1941–2018)

Vattavayalil Joseph Thomas, known simply as Joseph Thomas in police and political circles, was an Indian Police Service officer and former Indian Army officer, who served as the Director General of Kerala Police.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lokanath Behera</span> EX Indian Police Service officer

Lokanath Behera is a retired Indian Police Service (I.P.S.) officer. He was state police chief and director general of police of the Kerala State Police, and is the former director of Vigilance in the state of Kerala, after T. P. Senkumar IPS was reappointed as the Kerala state police chief and director general of police following the verdict of the honorable Supreme Court of India. Behera is from Odisha. He was one of the founding members of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He was also instrumental in modernizing the Kerala police, equipping it with modern vehicles and state-of-the-art small arms and non-lethal weaponry.

<i>Villain</i> (2017 film) 2017 film directed by B. Unnikrishnan

Villain is a 2017 Indian Malayalam-language psychological action thriller film written and directed by B. Unnikrishnan and produced by Rockline Venkatesh. The film stars Mohanlal in the lead role along with an ensemble cast including Vishal, Meka Srikanth, Raashi Khanna, Hansika Motwani, Manju Warrier, Siddique, Chemban Vinod Jose, Renji Panicker, Saikumar and Aju Varghese in supporting roles. Manoj Paramahamsa were the cinematographer. The songs were written by 4 Musics and the film score was composed by Sushin Shyam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">V. C. Sajjanar</span> Indian police officer

Vishwanath Channappa Sajjanar is an Indian law enforcement and police officer who was the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) of Telangana, now serving as managing director of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation. He is native of Hubballi, Karnataka state. Vishwanath Sajjanar is known to focus on women and child safety issues. He is also known for his strong focus on community and citizen friendly policing, cybercrime and human trafficking. Sajjanar began his career as an Assistant Superintendent of Police of Jangaon. He also served as the Inspector General of Police.

Anil Kant, a retired Indian Police Service (I.P.S.) officer, served as the State Police Chief and Director General of Police of Kerala. He was the former Road Safety Commissioner in Kerala. He is the first Dalit officer on the chief post in the police department of Kerala. Kant is from Delhi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau</span> Anti-corruption agency in Kerala, India

Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, Kerala (VACB) is an agency of Government of Kerala constituted to investigate offences of bribery and corruption falling within the purview of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 in the state of Kerala. The VACB was established in 1964 and operates under the control of the Vigilance Department of the Government of Kerala. The VACB has its headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, and has several regional offices across the state.

References

  1. ↑ "Jacob Thomas appointed as IMG Director". english.mathrubhumi.com. Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  2. ↑ "DGP Jacob Thomas spends previous night of retirement in office". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  3. ↑ "On Last Day Of Service, Kerala IPS Officer Jacob Thomas Slept On His Office Floor". IndiaTimes. 1 June 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  4. 1 2 "Jacob Thomas has not disclosed 50 acres in Tamil Nadu | Thiruvananthapuram News - Times of India". The Times of India. TNN. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  5. ↑ "K'taka asks Kerala IPS officer Jacob Thomas' wife to leave 'encroached forest land' in Coorg". The News Minute. 2 November 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 "Now in favour, now out, Kerala cop Jacob Thomas who often takes on high-ups". The Indian Express. 2 November 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  7. ↑ "K'taka asks Kerala IPS officer Jacob Thomas' wife to leave". www.thenewsminute.com. 2 November 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  8. 1 2 "Achievements - Dr.Jacob Thomas IPS". www.jacobthomasips.com. 22 March 2019. Archived from the original on 21 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  9. ↑ "Officials – Horticorp". 22 March 2019. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  10. ↑ "Former Chiefs". Kochi City Police. 22 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  11. ↑ "List of Joint Transport Commissioners/Additional Transport Commissioners". Motor Vehicles Department. 22 March 2019. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  12. 1 2 Staff Reporter (12 January 2017). "Court to consider plea against Jacob Thomas on January 19". The Hindu. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  13. ↑ "Kerala Vigilance chief Jacob Thomas gets clean chit". www.thenewsminute.com. 8 December 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  14. ↑ Media, CPPR (6 January 2016). "11th Quarterly Lecture by Dr. Jacob Thomas IPS". Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR). Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  15. ↑ "Vigilance investigation against Jacob Thomas". Keralakaumudi Daily. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  16. ↑ "DGP Jacob Thomas takes charge as director of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau - Times of India". The Times of India. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  17. ↑ "Former directors". img.kerala.govin. 22 March 2019. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  18. ↑ "Jacob Thomas returns as IMG director". Deccan Chronicle. 20 June 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  19. ↑ M.K, Nidheesh (20 December 2017). "Kerala government suspends DGP Jacob Thomas". livemint.com. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  20. ↑ "Kerala government suspends DGP Jacob Thomas again". The New Indian Express. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  21. ↑ "Kerala DGP Jacob Thomas suspension extended 6 months". www.thenewsminute.com. 21 December 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  22. ↑ Naha, Abdul Latheef (June 2020). "Kerala DGP Jacob Thomas calls it a day by sleeping on office floor - The Hindu". The Hindu.
  23. ↑ "Excelkerala team". excelkerala.in. 22 March 2019. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  24. ↑ Thomas, Jacob (2015). Strategic Management. Pearson India. ISBN   978-93-325-3540-4.
  25. ↑ Thomas, Jacob (2014). Environmental Management. Pearson India.
  26. ↑ Jacob, Thōmas (2017). Kaaryavum Kaaranavum. Kottayam, Kerala State, India: DC Books. ISBN   9789386680259. OCLC   1027034869.
  27. ↑ Thomas, Jacob (2017). Sraavukalkoppam Neenthumpol. Current Books. ISBN   978-8122613957.
  28. ↑ "Jacob Thomas struggled to clean up the system, inspired many: Rajdeep Sardesai". OnManorama. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  29. ↑ "Presidents Police Medal for Meritorious Service". keralapolice.gov.in. 22 March 2019. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  30. ↑ "Jacob Thomas(Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)):Constituency- IRINJALAKKUDA(THRISSUR) - Affidavit Information of Candidate". myneta.info. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  31. ↑ "Jacob Thomas appointed IMG Director". Mathrubhumi. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  32. ↑ "Kerala awaits IPS officer Jacob Thomas' 'tell all' autobiography". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  33. ↑ "The Rise of Jacob Thomas IPS as an anti-corruption crusader". www.thenewsminute.com. 10 December 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  34. ↑ KP Saikiran (22 January 2020). "Kerala government to demote Jacob Thomas as ADGP | Thiruvananthapuram News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  35. ↑ "Move to demote Kerala's senior most IPS officer Jacob Thomas". Deccan Herald. 22 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  36. ↑ Chandran, Jithin (22 January 2020). "Jacob Thomas demoted from DGP to ADGP". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  37. ↑ "Former DGP Jacob Thomas joins BJP". 4 February 2021.
  38. ↑ "Jacob Thomas to contest assembly election as BJP candidate".
  39. ↑ "Irinjalakuda Election Result 2021". 14 April 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.