The Kerala government has suspended Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer K. for allegedly creating a religion-based WhatsApp group of government officials. Gopalakrishnan has been reinstated.
The government has decided to continue the suspension of IAS officer N Prashant for 120 more days. Prashant was suspended for criticizing a senior IAS officer on social media.
Both the officers were suspended on November 11 last year. In ordering the reinstatement of Gopalakrishnan, the government said that the Suspension Review Committee reviewed his suspension and found that there was no solid ground to continue Gopalakrishnan’s suspension.
“The committee recommended to the disciplinary authority that the suspension of the officer be revoked pending a decision on disciplinary action against him,” the government order said. The Government has thoroughly reviewed the matter and decided to accept the recommendation of the Suspension Review Committee. As a result, the officer is reinstated in service.”
In Prashant’s case, the government said the committee has recommended that his suspension be continued for an additional period of 120 days from January 10.
Another government order said, “The government has accepted the recommendation of the suspension review committee and ordered that the period of suspension of IAS Prashant N be extended by 120 days with effect from January 10.”
At the time of suspension, Gopalakrishnan was the Director of Industries and Commerce and Prashant was working as Special Secretary in the Agricultural Development and Farmers Welfare Department.