Thiruvananthapuram: One of Kerala’s long-serving Indian administrative services officers, T.O. Sooraj was on Saturday suspended by the state government, pending inquiry. Raids at his office and private premises by the vigilance department in different parts of the state this week led to suspicion he possessed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
Sooraj had denied the allegation and claimed the money found at his residence was for an upcoming marriage in his family and that much of the assets were inherited properties of his wife and himself.
Sooraj was the secretary for the public works department.
The vigilance department had recommended his suspension to the home ministry, which approved it and the formal clearance for his suspension came from home minister Ramesh Chennithala and chief minister Oommen Chandy.
Sooraj added a twist to the developments, saying “I know a lot of things”, and is learnt to be moving for an anticipatory bail. “I have been a government official for 35 years and I know a lot of things. At the appropriate time I will reveal them”, Sooraj said.
The IAS officer said he had been handed over for a media trial and that a perception had been created he was the only one who had done a wrong.
Strikingly, no leader from the ruling United Democratic Front or the opposition Left Democratic Front has come in support of the officer.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president, V.M. Sudheeran said it was unnecessary to allege any political angle to the suspension of the IAS officer. He said that making such interpretations would only divert attention from the case.
The vigilance department officials have questioned Sooraj and in coming days his family members are also likely to be questioned by investigating officials.
An Indian Police Service official in Kerala, Tomin Thachankary is also facing charges of amassing disproportionate assets. The Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau had filed charge sheet against him in 2013.