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Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has ordered criminal and departmental action against Director-General of Police Jacob Thomas for publishing his autobiography violating the All India Service (AIS) Conduct Rules. He has ordered the present DGP Loknath Behera to register a criminal case against Jacob, who is currently Director of Institute of Management in Government.

A three-member committee, headed by Additional Chief Secretary Subrata Biswas, found that Jacob – who was former Director of Vigilance and Anti Corruption (DVAC) – had violated service rules while publishing his service story Sravukaliku Oppam Neenthumbol (Swimming With Sharks). Law Secretary Harindranath and Director of Public Relations K. Ambadi were also part of the committee. The book was published in May last.

The remarks against State Minister K. Babu in the bar case are violation of law. Though Thomas Jacob had got the permission, he did not follow instruction. His second book Neritta Velluvikkal: Karyavum Karanavum is also likely to court controversy. Though permission was sought to write the book, the complaint is that the book was published a few days ago even before it was granted.

Jacob sought permission to release the book in 2016 but did not respond to Chief Secretary Nalini Netto’s two letters to submit copy of the book for clearance.