Jacob Thomas moves HC seeking whistle-blower status

Kochi: Suspended senior IPS officer Jacob Thomas has approached the High Court seeking protection against the 'victimization' he is facing from ‘the officials of the government’.

In a petition filed before the court, Thomas said he is being targeted for his stern anti-corruption activities and that he became a target of the IAS officers after a team of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) team raided the residence of K M Abraham, who was the chief secretary.

In the plea, the former Vigilance Director has saught to restore protection against victimisation, humiliation, retaliation, and harassment under the Whistle Blowers Protection Act.

Following the plea, the court directed the Centre and the State government to file an affidavit in response to the petition. The court also asked the Centre to inform the court of the status of a representation submitted by him to the Prime Minister in this regard.

A report in The Hindu said that Thomas sought a directive to the Prime Minister’s Office to consider the representation given by him.

Thomas said as he had been fighting corruption with zero tolerance, there had been constant and collective threat against him during his career.