Thiruvananthapuram: In a move drawing sharp scrutiny, the Kerala Government has extended the suspension of IAS officer N Prasanth by another six months, now effective until October 31, 2025, raising serious questions about procedural propriety and legal validity.
The extension, formalized through a government order issued on May 7, follows two back-to-back meetings of the suspension review committee – one on April 23 chaired by retired IAS officer Sarada Muraleedharan, and another on May 6 chaired by newly appointed Chief Secretary A Jayathilak.
According to sources, while the April 23 meeting recommended revoking the suspension, the May 6 committee opted to extend it. However, the final government order omits any mention of the earlier recommendation, effectively sidelining it without justification – a move legal experts are calling “highly irregular.”
The situation is further complicated by questions over compliance with the All India Services (AIS) Rules, which require the Centre’s explicit concurrence for any suspension of an AIS officer extending beyond six months. In Prasanth’s case, it remains unclear whether such approval was obtained – or even sought.
This is not the first time the state has faced controversy over prolonged suspensions. In the case of former IPS officer Jacob Thomas, authorities restarted the suspension clock by filing new charges – a tactic not employed here, as no fresh charges have been presented against Prasanth.
Prasanth was initially suspended on November 11, 2024, after making serious allegations on social media against Chief Secretary Jayathilak and then ST Development Director K Gopalakrishnan, accusing them of document fabrication, forgery, and conspiracy. His suspension was first extended in January for four months, which expired on April 30.
The government’s silence on the April 23 review and lack of a legal basis for the extension have triggered debate within bureaucratic and legal circles, with many viewing it as a potentially punitive misuse of administrative power.
As calls for transparency grow, it remains to be seen whether the Centre will intervene or if Prasanth will challenge the order legally.
