Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala cadre IAS officer N. Prasanth, currently under suspension, has filed a Rule 7 complaint before Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, seeking action against Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak. The complaint alleges that Dr. Jayathilak violated provisions of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969 and accumulated illegal assets.
The complaint, according to Mr. Prasanth, has been submitted with “precise evidence and supporting records,” underscoring the seriousness of the allegations.
Rule 7 Complaint Explained
Rule 7 of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, specifies the competent authorities responsible for taking disciplinary action against members of the IAS, IPS, and IFS. In the Kerala context, the Chief Minister acts as the disciplinary authority for IAS officers, making him the recipient of Prasanth’s complaint.
This procedural step allows the aggrieved officer to formally request an inquiry or action against a superior officer if violations of service rules are alleged.
Background of the Bureaucratic Dispute
The development comes amid a growing dispute between the two officers. Dr. Jayathilak recently issued orders extending Mr. Prasanth’s suspension by an additional six months, citing administrative reasons. The extension has intensified tensions, prompting Mr. Prasanth to escalate the matter to the Chief Minister.
Mr. Prasanth’s complaint accuses the Chief Secretary of serious misconduct, including violations of disciplinary norms and accumulation of assets beyond legal limits. While the complaint is under consideration, it reflects broader concerns about administrative accountability within Kerala’s IAS cadre.
Next Steps and Implications
The Chief Minister’s office will now review the Rule 7 complaint and decide whether to initiate a formal inquiry. Depending on the findings, the matter could result in disciplinary proceedings, which may include suspension, inquiry, or other administrative measures against Dr. Jayathilak.
The ongoing dispute has drawn attention from bureaucrats and political observers alike, highlighting the complexities of administrative accountability and hierarchical oversight within the state government.
Public and Media Reactions
While official statements from the Kerala government are awaited, the news has sparked discussions on social media and among civil service forums regarding procedural fairness, transparency, and the checks and balances for senior bureaucrats.
As the matter unfolds, the Kerala IAS cadre faces heightened scrutiny, with implications for administrative ethics and governance practices in the state.
