Kerala DGP removed over remarks in FB case

The Kerala government on Friday removed Alexander Jacob as the state DGP (Prisons), a day after his remarks in connection with implementation of prison rules landed the government in a spot.

Jacob had on Thursday countered criticism that seven undertrials in the T P Chandrasekharan murder case were extended preferential treatment at the Kozhikode district jail by stating he would wait till evidence emerged before concluding that prison officials were to be blamed.

The government had sought an explanation from Jacob in this connection. The government, after finding his explanation and an expression of regret inadequate, decided to remove Jacob from his post.

Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said in Kottayam that political reasons should not be attributed to the decision and the government had acted purely on the merit of the case. But it’s hard to miss the political connection since senior Congress leaders have been calling for severe action against the DGP who they said “spoke like a CPM activist.” T P Senkumar, ADGP, has temporarily taken over as prisons in-charge.

Jacob told reporters on Thursday that scientific evidence to back allegations that the remand prisoners used mobile phones in the jail was awaited. He said the “timing” of the controversy – close ahead of the verdict on the case – also pointed to possibilities of a “conspiracy”.