Agriculture Department Special Secretary N. Prasanth was suspended for breaching All India Service (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, while action against Industries Department Director K Gopalakrishnan was initiated after he started "Mallu Hindu Officers" group on WhatsApp.
Published Nov 12, 2024 | 8:32 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 12, 2024 | 8:32 AM
In a significant move, the government has suspended two IAS officers, Agriculture Department Special Secretary N. Prasanth and Industries Department Director K. Gopalakrishnan, following separate controversies. The government on Monday night issued suspension orders.
The Kerala government has suspended two IAS officers, Agriculture Department Special Secretary N Prasanth and Industries Department Director K Gopalakrishnan, following separate controversies.
The suspension orders were issued late on Monday, 11 November.
Prasanth’s suspension stems from a series of controversial Facebook posts, which allegedly targeted the Additional Chief Secretary Dr A Jayathilak. These posts were considered inappropriate and unbecoming of an officer of his rank, prompting disciplinary action by the government.
Gopalakrishnan’s suspension is linked to his involvement in the ‘Mallu Hindu’ WhatsApp group controversy, which also attracted public and government attention.
The government has clarified that such behavior is unacceptable for public servants, underscoring its commitment to maintaining accountability and decorum within the administrative system.
Both suspensions reflected the state’s increasing focus on ensuring the proper conduct of high-ranking officials.
Prasanth has come under fire for making disparaging comments about Jayathilak, IAS, on social media. His remarks have been deemed insulting and in violation of the code of conduct, which could tarnish the reputation of the IAS cadre.
A report submitted by Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan has recommended punitive action against Prasanth, noting that his statements could negatively influence public perceptions of the integrity of the IAS officers.
According to the government, Prasanth’s comments were seen as creating potential discord within the IAS in Kerala, and his actions were described as “unbecoming” of an officer of his rank.
The suspension was enacted under the All India Service (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, with the government indicating a prima facie breach of multiple sections of the All India Service Conduct Rules, 1968.
“The remarks prima facie have the potential of creating divisiveness and disaffection in the Indian Administrative Service in the State that can also affect service to the public,” the suspension order signed by the chief secretary said.
Prashanth described himself as a whistleblower in a Facebook post on Sunday, intensifying his conflict with Jayathilak, the Additional Chief Secretary (Finance). On Monday, with a hint of sarcasm, Prashanth shared an advertisement from Kamco (Kerala Agro Machinery Corporation Ltd), humorously portraying himself as a farmer out to clear weeds.
While his post didn’t directly reference the ongoing tension within the upper levels of bureaucracy, it certainly caught attention. Prashanth had accused Jayathilak of damaging the careers and personal lives of subordinates who failed to comply with his directives.
In the post, Prashanth argued that while his role as a civil servant required him to avoid criticising government policies, he wasn’t obligated to remain silent about individuals like Jayathilak.
His remarks came after news reports revealed that Jayathilak had submitted a report to the chief minister about Prashanth’s involvement in files related to Unnathi missing. Unnathi is a state mission aimed at supporting SC/ST ventures. In an earlier post, Prashanth had even labelled Jayathilak a “psychopath.”
Gopalakrishnan, the industries director, is facing disciplinary action after it was revealed that he had created a WhatsApp group based on religious affiliation exclusively for IAS officers.
The creation of the group, seen as fostering division, prompted a police inquiry. Following this, the government is expected to block his increment and take further punitive steps, dismissing Gopalakrishnan’s defense based on the police report.
The government has raised serious concerns regarding the conduct of Gopalakrishnan, following an investigation into a WhatsApp group allegedly administered by him.
Initial findings claimed that the group was intended to create discord and divisions within the state’s All India Services cadre.
According to official reports, Gopalakrishnan initially lodged a complaint stating that his device had been hacked and contacts were added to the group without his consent.
The government alleged that the group was designed to disrupt cadre unity and foster communal alignments within the All India Services. The actions have been deemed a prima facie violation of several clauses of the All India Service Conduct Rules, 1968.
Sources suggested that the officer reported the “hacking” incident only after a WhatsApp group named “Mallu Hindu Officers” gained significant media attention. This group, allegedly created using Gopalakrishnan’s WhatsApp number, was reportedly led by the IAS officer and comprised solely of Hindu officers.
Adding to the suspicion, Gopalakrishnan is said to have handed over his mobile phone to investigators only after performing a complete factory reset, erasing all data. His action raised questions. Furthermore, there are claims that the IAS officer might have attempted to gain favor with specific groups by emphasizing his “Hindu identity,” potentially as a strategy to secure a prominent central deputation.
The creation of the group reportedly triggered a swift backlash, with several officers criticising it as a breach of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, which mandate the upholding of secular principles. The group was reportedly deleted within hours of its creation.
Former minister J Mercykutty Amma has spoken out against Prasanth, accusing him of involving in a political conspiracy with Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala in 2021, when she was the minister for fisheries.
Mercykutty claimed that the corruption allegations against her in connection with the “deep-sea fishing deal” were part of a plot orchestrated by Prasanth. She further alleged that Prasanth, who had previously worked as Chennithala’s private secretary, sought to undermine her to benefit the UDF in coastal constituencies ahead of the 2021 elections.
When South First contacted Mercykutty for her reaction to the suspension of IAS officer Prasanth, she expressed satisfaction.
“I am extremely happy. Officers like Prasanth are a disgrace to the bureaucracy. He is a liar. When I was a minister, I inquired about his financial status through the Foreign Ministry. He made several proposals, especially high-budget ones, without consulting the ministers. There is a political conspiracy behind his actions. His cinema-like dialogue and Facebook posts are inappropriate for his position. While controversies have arisen between officers before, this is different. He is extremely egoistic,” she said.
“As for Gopalakrishnan, his suspension was necessary. I don’t want to blame him personally, but he has been influenced by BJP’s Sanatana Dharma. We can see this influence in Munambam as well. The Sangh Parivar is attempting to hijack IAS officers, but Kerala must continue the fight to preserve its social harmony,” she added.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
