Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala High Court on Friday raised serious questions over a plea filed by convicted former Director General of Police (DGP) Tomin J Thachankary (IPS: 1987: KL), seeking permission to travel abroad for employment.
Justice A Badharudeen questioned the former police officer’s medical condition, pointing out that he had claimed to be seriously ill after being sent to jail following his conviction in a disproportionate assets case in September 2026. He was subsequently shifted to a hospital and later granted bail by the High Court.
However, the Court noted that Thachankary had now approached it seeking permission to travel abroad for a job, raising questions about the inconsistency in his medical claims.
The Court also examined the medical records submitted by the jail authorities and observed that the matter required a detailed hearing to scrutinise the documents.
Kerala High Court Questions Thachankary’s Hospitalisation During Judicial Custody
During the hearing, Justice Badharudeen expressed displeasure over the fact that Thachankary had remained in hospital throughout his period in custody.
The judge observed that the former DGP had been admitted to the hospital from the date he entered jail until his release and had not spent even a single day inside the prison.
The Court remarked:
“He has been admitted to the hospital from the date of admission till the date of release. He has not been in jail even for a day. Nicely stayed in the hospital. There he has 1,000 ailments. Now, no ailments. Wants to go to Dubai and do a job. How can it be? Don’t repeat lies before the Court.“
The judge further questioned how a person who had claimed to suffer from several medical conditions while in custody could now seek permission to travel overseas for employment.
The Court also made a remark in Malayalam, questioning the apparent difference between his health condition in jail and after securing release.
Read also: Kerala HC Questions Ex-DGP Tomin J Thachankary’s Plea to Travel Abroad, Seeks Jail Hospital Report
Court Warns of Cancelling Bail Granted to Former Kerala DGP
The High Court took a serious view of the circumstances surrounding Thachankary’s request and indicated that it could consider cancelling the bail granted to him.
Justice Badharudeen observed that such conduct needed to be dealt with seriously.
“This type of person needs to be treated seriously. If this is the position, I may go for the option to cancel the bail,” the judge said.
The Court’s observations came after it considered the medical records relating to Thachankary’s hospitalisation during his period in judicial custody.
It had earlier directed the Superintendent of Poojappura Central Jail to submit details of his hospitalisation during the four weeks he remained in custody. The information sought included the number of days he spent in hospital and the medical conditions for which he received treatment.
These records were produced before the High Court on Friday and taken on record. The Court indicated that a detailed examination of the medical documents would be necessary.
Why Was Former DGP Tomin J Thachankary Convicted?
The disproportionate assets case against Thachankary originated from a complaint filed by Bobby Kuruvila, who alleged that the former DGP had acquired properties, including houses and flats, beyond his known sources of income.
Following the investigation and trial, the Kottayam Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance), K V Rajaneesh, convicted Thachankary under the Prevention of Corruption Act in September 2026.
The Vigilance Court sentenced him to four years of rigorous imprisonment.
According to the trial court’s findings, Thachankary had accumulated assets worth ₹30.84 lakh disproportionate to his known sources of income during the check period between 2003 and 2007.
The disproportionate assets were calculated at 52.33% of his known income.
Apart from the prison sentence, the court also imposed a fine of ₹30,84,892 on him.
Kerala High Court Had Earlier Stayed His Prison Sentence
After his conviction, Thachankary approached the Kerala High Court challenging the verdict and seeking relief.
Last month, the High Court stayed the operation of his prison sentence until the appeal against his conviction is decided. He was also granted bail.
His latest application seeks permission to travel abroad for employment, reportedly to Dubai. The request has now come under scrutiny following the Court’s observations about his hospitalisation and medical condition during judicial custody.
The High Court has taken the medical records on record and indicated that the issue requires further examination.
Lawyers Appearing for Tomin J Thachankary
Advocates S Rajeev, Sarath KP, Anilkumar CR, KS Kiran Krishnan, Dipa V, Akash Cherian Thomas, TP Aravind, Azad Sunil, Akshara S, Nivedita Rajeev, Ebee Antony and MS Aneer appeared on behalf of Thachankary.
The matter concerns his request for overseas employment permission while his appeal against the disproportionate assets conviction remains pending before the Kerala High Court.
Read also: Former Kerala DGP Tomin Thachankary Seeks HC Nod to Travel Abroad to Resume UAE Job
