Kerala extends IAS officer N. Prasanth’s suspension, reinstates Gopalakrishnan pending disciplinary action

Kerala government extends IAS officer N. Prasanth's suspension, revokes K. Gopalakrishnan's suspension, amid official misconduct allegations.

The Kerala government has extended IAS officer N. Prasanth’s suspension for 120 days, starting Friday (January 10, 2025). It has revoked the suspension of K. Gopalakrishnan, IAS, pending disciplinary action.

In November, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan suspended the two officials on separate charges of official misconduct, neglect of service rules, and impropriety based on an inquiry report from Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan.

Subsequently, the government constituted a suspension review committee (SRC) under the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969 to review the temporary debarment of the two officials from service. 

On Thursday (January 9, 2025), the government accepted the committee’s decision to lengthen Mr. Prasanth’s extension period. It also approved the SRC’s proposal to reinstate Mr. Gopalakrishnan in service, pending departmental action.

Mr. Prasanth had run afoul with the government for allegedly accusing Additional Chief Secretary for Taxes, A. Jayathilak, of propagating a “false narrative” through a Malayalam daily that he played truant from work. 

In her inquiry report, Ms. Muraleedharan took strong exception to Mr. Prasanth’s alleged reference to Mr. Jayathilak as a “psychopath.”

Ms. Muraleedharan concluded that Mr. Prasanth’s actions had caused “irreparable injury” to the government.