The Regional Passport Office here has asked the police to give information about IPS officer Tomin J Thachankary, who was suspended on corruption charges and allegations of being involved with people having terror links, before considering his case for a fresh passport.
In a communication sent to the Kochi City Police Commissioner’s office, the Regional Passport Officer has asked police authorities to pass on the information sought as expeditiously as possible, Passport office sources told PTI.
Mr. Thachankary had been suspended after he undertook a foreign trip when he was the Kannur IGP, without informing the Government.
The Vigilance and Anti—Corruption Bureau in Kerala had in February recommended to the state Home department for prosecution of Thachankary for allegedly amassing wealth disproportionate to his income.
According to the report, Mr. Thachankary was found to have amassed disproportionate wealth to the tune of Rs 79 lakh.
The National Investigation Agency has questioned him for his alleged association with certain people having terror links whom he had met during his Qatar visit last year.
Passport authorities had referred his application for a fresh passport to the City Police Commissioner on February 21 after it was found that he had allegedly suppressed some ’vital information’
Mr. Thanchankary had applied for a fresh passport on Feb 9 after he had exhausted the pages of his current passport. In the relevant columns relating to government service and criminal cases pending, he had replied in the negative.
On a computer search of his previous application, it was found that he was a government servant, following which a showcause notice was issued to him for giving incorrect information.
Mr. Thanchankary then produced a NOC (No objection certificate) from Additional DGP Mahesh Kumar Singala which stated the department had no objection for his application, which in effect was recommending issue of passport to Thachankary.
Mr. Singala had stated Mr. Thachankary’s application does not invite provisions under Para 6 (2)F of the Passport Act (ie there is no criminal proceedings against the person).
However, the passport office authorities decided not to issue a fresh passport under ‘Tatkal’ to Mr. Thachankary and to refer the matter to the Kochi City Police Commissioner as there was ‘prima facie suppression of vital information’ that Thachankary was not a government servant and there were no criminal cases against him.
Mr. Singala filed another statement to the passport office stating that he had only meant that there was no objection in giving additional pages or additional booklet for the present passport.
