The Kerala High Court on Friday directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to report on the criminal action, if any, taken on an inspection report of the Additional Secretary, Department of Ports, which pointed out certain irregularities allegedly indulged in by Jacob Thomas, former Director of Port and now Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau.
Justice P. Ubaid issued the directive while admitting a petition filed by K. Sathyan Naravoor, Kannur.
The judge also directed the Secretary, Department of Ports, to report about the action taken at the government level on a complaint against Mr. Thomas.
In his petition, Mr. Sathyan sought a directive to the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to register an FIR against Mr. Thomas on the basis of a complaint filed by him.
The petitioner alleged that while Mr. Thomas was officiating as the director in 2009, he had indulged in corrupt practices.
Inspection report
He claimed an inspection report prepared in 2013 by the Store Purchase Department on the basis of an inspection conducted by the Additional Secretary, Department of Ports, pointed out flouting of many government regulations. The store purchase manual provisions had been violated when air-breathing compressor and other equipment were purchased, which had caused loss to the exchequer. The purchases were made without inviting tenders.
The report had recommended to the administrative department that a proper inquiry be conducted to find out misappropriation of funds in these deals.
