KOCHI: Noting that former DGP Tomin J Thachankary had not spent a single day in jail despite being sentenced to four years in a disproportionate assets case, the Kerala High Court on Friday orally remarked that when in jail he claims illness and when outside he is healthy enough to work abroad. The court further orally warned that it could even consider cancelling his bail.
Justice A Badharudeen said a report from the jail superintendent showed that Thachankary remained hospitalised throughout his prison term, from the day he was admitted to jail until his release.
The court was hearing the former DGP’s plea to modify a bail condition that bars him from leaving India without permission. “He has not been in jail even for a day. Nicely stayed in the hospital. There, he has 1,000 ailments. Now, no ailments, wants to go to Dubai and do a job. How can it be,” the HC said.
Don’t repeat lies, court warns ex-DGP
“Don’t repeat lies before the court. This type of person needs to be treated seriously. If this is the position, I may go for the option to cancel the bail,” the court said.
The medical report submitted to the court said the prison medical officer had examined Thachankary on September 17, following his admission to the central prison. His medical history showed that he had coronary artery disease (CAD) and underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in 2009.
He was also suffering from obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), for which he had been using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ventilation for about three years, besides receiving treatment for psoriasis.
The jail superintendent reported that Thachankary remained admitted to the prison hospital block throughout his incarceration, from September 17, the day he was admitted to prison, until his release on bail on October 15.
After persuing the records, the court said a detailed hearing was needed to determine whether Thachankary’s hospitalisation was genuine or a ploy to avoid staying in a prison cell. The court also flagged the apparent contradiction between Thachankary’s claim of ill health and his present assertion that he was fit enough to take up a job abroad despite his medical condition.
