KOTTAYAM: The Court of the Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance), Kottayam, on Thursday, sentenced former Kerala Director General of Police (DGP) Tomin J Thachankary to four years' imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 30.84 lakh in a disproportionate assets case, registered nearly two decades ago.
The Vigilance Judge KV Rejanish pronounced the verdict, finding Thachankary guilty of possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income during his tenure as a senior police officer.
In default of payment of the fine, he will have to undergo an additional two months’ imprisonment. Since the sentence exceeds three years, Thachankary will have to approach the Kerala High Court for bail. He is expected to be taken to the Central Prison, Thiruvananthapuram, on Wednesday.
The former DGP cited health issues before the court, stating that he had experienced chest pain two days ago and was not physically well. However, the court proceeded to impose the maximum punishment sought by the prosecution.
The case was registered in 2007 based on a complaint filed by Bobby Kuruvila, alleging that Thachankary had amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income between January 2003 and July 2007.
As per the chargesheet submitted by the vigilance investigation team, Thachankary had failed to account for assets and expenditure worth Rs 64.70 lakh during this period.
The prosecution submitted that the value of his disproportionate assets was 135.80 per cent higher than his known sources of income and sought the maximum sentence.
The case was registered in 2007, after Thachankary was promoted to the rank of DIG, and the chargesheet was filed in 2013, by which time he had become an Additional Director General of Police.
Thachankary had earlier filed a discharge petition, arguing that the assets in question came through family partition and gifts. However, the court dismissed the plea and held that the chargesheet was legally sustainable.
The trial was completed following a high court direction to the vigilance court to conclude proceedings within a fixed timeframe. While the high court had initially asked the court to deliver its verdict before June 30, the deadline was later extended to September 30.
During the trial, the prosecution examined several officials, including a former joint secretary of the Home Department. The defence examined officials, including a former additional chief secretary, a former ADGP, income tax officials, and Thachankary’s sister. Adv K K Sreekanth appeared for the prosecution.
