N. Prasanth, an IAS officer currently under suspension, has created a flurry in bureaucratic circles by sending a legal notice through his counsel to Industries director K. Gopalakrishnan (who is currently under suspension), Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) A. Jayathilak, Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan and a leading Malayalam daily.
Mr. Prasanth, who was posted as Special Secretary (Agriculture department), has levelled charges pertaining to “fabrication of documents, criminal conspiracy, abetment and violation of criminal laws” against his three IAS colleagues and the daily. The entire issue is related to an inquiry report allegedly prepared by Mr. Jayathilak blaming Mr. Prasanth for the disappearance of files related to the Unnathi project, when he was its CEO, and anomalies in his attendance record.
The legal notice accuses Mr. Gopalakrishnan and Mr. Jayathilak of fabricating letters and uploading them on the e-office portal for implicating him. He has also accused the two officers of sharing the letters and “misleading information” with the press. Mr. Gopalakrishnan, Mr. Jayathilak and the daily have been accused of misusing government machinery “to manufacture a unilateral and defamatory document for publication against our client (Mr. Prasanth) and incite serious adverse consequences.”
The legal notice accused the Chief Secretary of “inaction”, noting that Mr. Prasanth had reported the matter to her “with specific evidence” on November 14. It demanded the Chief Secretary to take appropriate legal action against Mr. Gopalakrishnan and Mr. Jayathilak “for the criminal actions and misconduct.” The notice also demanded a public apology from two officers.
Published – December 21, 2024 08:01 pm IST