THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vigilance chief Jacob Thomas’ revelation on phone tapping has put the LDF Government on the defensive. But he is not the first top cop to become victim of phone hacking.
Former DGP Alexander Jacob, during his tenure as Director General (Prisons), had confidentially complained that his phone was tapped by the police. It is learnt that the previous UDF Government ignored his complaint.
“It is true that my phone was tapped by the police for quite some time. I made oral complaints to then Home Minister and Home Secretary. I’m unaware of the further steps taken,” Alexander Jacob told ‘Express’.
The official did not reveal the names of the minister or the Home Secretary saying he did not want to kick off a controversy. “At that time, I did not want to trigger a row and hence preferred an oral petition.
Now, I do not want to add to the ongoing row by dropping names,” he said. Alexander Jacob’s eventful career with the Prisons Department saw several initiatives to ensure prisoners’ human rights and developing their skills.
But he faced criticism for his remarks about the Facebook post by T P Chandrasekharan murder convicts, who were in jail at that time, resulting in his exit. He was also alleged to have made phone conversations with some VIP prisoners, including a prominent CPM leader from Kannur. But these allegations were proved false in subsequent probes.
Alexander Jacob had served as ADGP Prisons from October 2009 to November 2012 and as DGP Prisons from November 2012 to December 2013. It is learnt that the officer was under surveillance for months during the Oommen Chandy Government which assumed office in 2011.
His call lists were taken from the BSNL on a regular basis. During the UDF regime Alexander Jacob served as Jail DGP under two Home Ministers - Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who held the Home portfolio until April 2012, and later under Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.