The Kerala government has reinstated Mr. K Gopalakrishnan, a 2013-batch IAS officer, who was suspended for allegedly creating a religion-based WhatsApp group of government officials. The Suspension Review Committee recommended revoking his suspension, stating there was “no substantive ground” for its continuation. However, disciplinary action against him is still pending.
Meanwhile, the suspension of Mr. N Prasanth, a 2007-batch IAS officer, has been extended for an additional 120 days from January 10, 2025. Mr. Prasanth was suspended for criticizing a senior IAS officer, Mr. A Jayathilak (1991 batch), on social media. The government upheld the Suspension Review Committee’s recommendation to continue his suspension.
Both officers were initially suspended on November 11, 2024. At the time, Mr. Gopalakrishnan was the Director of Industries and Commerce, and Mr. Prasanth served as Special Secretary in the Department of Agriculture Development and Farmers’ Welfare.
The controversy surrounding Mr. Prasanth arose after he accused Mr. Jayathilak on Facebook of spreading “baseless” allegations against him. This followed media reports alleging lapses during Mr. Prasanth’s tenure as CEO of the Unnathi initiative for Scheduled Castes and Tribes, including claims of missing files. Mr. Prasanth denied the allegations, stating they were unfounded.
In his defense, Mr. Gopalakrishnan claimed in a police complaint that he did not add any officers to the WhatsApp group in question.
