Suspended IAS officer N Prasanth has alleged that Kerala Chief Secretary A Jayathilak intervened to extend his suspension, overriding a prior recommendation by the Suspension Review Committee to revoke it. The controversy has reignited debate over procedural fairness and transparency in the state’s civil service disciplinary system.
📄 Suspension Panel Had Cleared Prasanth
According to documents released by Prasanth and obtained via the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Suspension Review Committee—chaired by former Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan—had on April 23 recommended lifting his suspension, citing a satisfactory explanation regarding the charges against him.
However, after Muraleedharan’s retirement, Jayathilak assumed charge and allegedly declined to reconstitute the panel, despite being the subject of Prasanth’s original allegations. In a May 3 file note, Jayathilak stated that a two-member committee could proceed without replacing him, and on May 7, the panel extended Prasanth’s suspension by another 180 days.
⚖️ Allegations of Rule Violation
Prasanth claims this move violated service rules, which require the senior-most Additional Chief Secretary to lead the panel in such cases. He argues that Jayathilak’s continued involvement compromised the impartiality of the process.
📱 Social Media and Public Disclosure
The IAS officer had earlier hinted on social media that he would release “evidence” of procedural manipulation. He has also accused Jayathilak of abusing administrative authority, referencing past social media posts that led to his initial suspension in November 2024.
Stay tuned for legal developments and official responses.
