Thiruvananthapuram: The suspension of 2007 batch IAS officer Prasanth N has been extended for another 180 days, continuing until May 6, 2026. The Kerala government’s decision follows a recent social media post by Prasanth marking the anniversary of his initial suspension.
Fresh Round of Allegations
In a Facebook post shared on Tuesday, Prasanth alleged that his suspension was a retaliatory measure after he exposed instances of corruption and administrative misconduct involving senior IAS officers, including Chief Secretary A Jayathilak and former Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan.
He asserted that his disciplinary action was not linked to any breach of social media regulations, but rather an attempt to silence him for revealing internal corruption within the state administration.
Accusations Against Chief Secretary A Jayathilak
One of Prasanth’s primary allegations targeted A Jayathilak, Kerala’s current Chief Secretary. He accused Jayathilak of chronic absenteeism, citing Right to Information (RTI) records that allegedly show the senior officer attended office fewer than five days a month for nearly two years.
Prasanth also revived allegations related to the Muttil tree-felling case in Wayanad, claiming that a controversial order issued by Jayathilak had led to a financial loss exceeding ₹12 crore in timber value. He alleged that this decision facilitated illegal tree felling in a forest area – a matter he said he had raised repeatedly through public platforms.
Claims of Corruption and Cover-Up
Further, Prasanth accused Jayathilak of involvement in multiple irregularities, including corruption in the PM-AJAY housing scheme, ghost training projects, and questionable practices during his tenure as Chairman of the Spices Board.
According to Prasanth, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had once recommended filing an FIR against Jayathilak for allegedly diverting official travel contracts to a private agency, which he described as “a clear case of corruption.” He claimed that Jayathilak’s subsequent elevation to Chief Secretary enabled him to influence proceedings and close cases pending against him.
Criticism of Former Chief Secretary
In his post, Prasanth also criticised former Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan, accusing her of failing to act against corrupt officers during her tenure. He alleged that Muraleedharan “lacked the moral courage” to confront corruption within the administrative ranks, thereby allowing systemic malpractices to persist unchecked.
Background of Suspension
Prasanth N was initially suspended in 2022 after publishing a Facebook post critical of bureaucratic functioning and government policies. The post reportedly provoked senior officials, prompting the government to initiate a disciplinary inquiry. His suspension has since been periodically extended, with the latest order extending it until May 2026.
