Kerala IG in dock for meeting criminals in Qatar

A letter written by Union home ministry under secretary K Natarajan to the Kerala chief secretary has clearly indicted state Inspector General of Police Tomin Thachankery on his recent visit to Qatar.

The letter clearly mentions that the IG had called on the Indian ambassador to Qatar and sought the latter's help in getting information regarding some wanted criminals, without proper authorisation. He reportedly told the ambassador that wanted to meet them and convince them to return to India.

The ministry of external affairs had told the Union home ministry that the IG had been asked whether he had received clearance from the government for such a step. Thachankery reportedly told the ambassador that in a criminal investigation process, sanctions could not be taken continuously.

The letter also points out that the IG had gone to Qatar after interrogating Lashkar-e-Tayiba operative Thadiyantavida Nasir, who is one of the suspects in the Bengaluru serial blasts. The letter mentions that Thachankery had collected the address and other details of the suspects who raised funds for Indian terror operations after interrogating Nasir.

While in Qatar, Thachankery allegedly met suspected terror operatives Yusuf, Asar, Ayub and Shohaib, sources told rediff.com. Ayub and Shohaib are reportedly the main fund raisers for terror operations and are considered to be top agents of Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence for its operations in south India.

On Wednesday, Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan had confirmed that a letter had been sent by the home ministry indicting Thachankery. The IG was suspended after he visited Dubai and Qatar without taking permission from the government.

The controversial top cop told media persons that state Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishna knew about his visit to the Gulf countries.

V D Satheeshan, the leader of Opposition Congress, has claimed that the chief minister and the state home minister were answerable to the people of the state and the country for shielding such an officer and entrusting him with the law and order of a crucial area like Kannur, considered to be the epicentre of terror operations in the state.

Thachankery has earlier been suspended on charges of possessing assets beyond his known sources of income. His name also hit the headlines when an anti-piracy squad of the state police seized several pirated CDs from Riyan Studion in Kochi, which is jointly owned by his wife.

The police officer was earlier given a serious warning by the Supreme Court in a case related to custodial torture while he was serving as Assistant Commissioner of Police in Alappuzha.

Click here to read the home ministry's letter