K Gopalakrishnan, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and the director of industries and commerce in Kerala, revealed that he was made the admin of several WhatsApp groups for IAS officers, including "Mallu Hindu Officers" and "Mallu Muslim Officers," claiming that his phone may have been hacked.
The Thiruvananthapuram city police have initiated an investigation following his complaint, The Indian Express reported.
According to Gopalakrishnan, two WhatsApp groups named “Mallu Hindu Officers” and “Mallu Muslim Officers” were created after the hacking incident. The “Mallu Hindu Officers” group was established on October 30 and included several senior IAS officers identified as Hindu.
However, the group was promptly deleted within hours after concerns were raised about its appropriateness. Following the incident, Gopalakrishnan informed members of the group about the breach and the subsequent creation of 11 groups without his consent.
In response to the developing situation, Gopalakrishnan indicated that he had deleted all the groups after being alerted by colleagues. On Monday, he officially lodged a complaint with the police regarding the hacking and the formation of these groups.
City Police Commissioner Sparjan Kumar confirmed that an investigation has begun, stating that it is still in its early stages. The police have requested information from WhatsApp to ascertain whether the groups were indeed created following the hacking of Gopalakrishnan's phone.
Additionally, the general administration department plans to seek clarification from Gopalakrishnan about the formation of the groups. The matter has drawn attention from various political figures, with the Industries Minister stating that the government will investigate the allegations, especially if they are based on religious grounds.
Concerns about the implications of such group formations within the IAS have also been expressed by opposition leaders, who regard it as an affront to the state. The controversy has raised questions about the integrity of the administrative body and the influence of extremist elements within its ranks.