THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government Saturday suspended PWD secretary T.O. Sooraj for possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
His suspension came after vigilance officials raided five places early this week and questioned Sooraj for several hours Friday in Kochi.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told reporters that the law would take its course in the case.
The stern action by Chandy appears to be the first such instances in the recent times when a senior IAS official has been suspended.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala Friday confirmed that there was strong evidence against the bureaucrat and it was not a vindictive action.
Meanwhile, Sooraj told the media that he accepted the decision.
"I will from now on deal with this case legally. Moreover, I have been a government official for 35 years and I also know lots of things. At the appropriate time, I will react and reveal.
"There should not be a wrong perception among the entire Kerala population that I am the only one who has done a wrong," said Sooraj.
The Left opposition has already demanded that the government should suspend him from service.
Incidentally, he managed to stay afloat without any problems under the previous Left government despite the vigilance department seeking a probe against him.