The Kerala government has ordered an inquiry by a two-member panel of IAS officers into the charges levelled against IAS officer N Prasanth (IAS:2007:KL), who is currently under suspension. The probe is being led by Dr Rajan N Khobragade (IAS:1994:KL), Additional Chief Secretary of Health & Family Welfare, with Tinku Biswal (IAS:1997:KL), Principal Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management Department, serving as presenting officer. The panel has been asked to submit its findings within three months under Rule 8(6)(a) of the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules.
Prasanth was placed under suspension on November 11, 2024, after he publicly denounced Dr A Jayathilak (IAS:1991:KL), then Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue Department, now Chief Secretary. In social media posts, he accused Jayathilak and others of criminal conspiracy, document forging, and undermining careers of subordinates, labeling Jayathilak a “psychopath” and “mentally ill”.
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In response, Prasanth submitted written defenses at intervals in January 2025, which were considered unsatisfactory by the government. The government also formalized charges alleging that his posts had tarnished the administrative machinery’s image.
Although departmental norms require an inquiry to be completed within six months of suspension, official action was delayed. Prasanth’s suspension was extended three times, and the inquiry was initiated nearly nine months later—raising issues over procedural fairness under AIS rules.
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Critics have questioned whether the state obtained central concurrence, which is mandatory for suspensions extending beyond six months. No fresh charges were indicated to justify restarting the suspension clock, as previously seen in other cases.
Known widely as “Collector Bro” for his popular social media presence during his tenure as Kozhikode District Collector, Prasanth gained acclaim for initiatives like Operation Sulaimani, Yo Apoopa, and active citizen engagement through posted updates and campaign-led governance.
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However, his outspoken nature and digital activism eventually put him at odds with senior officials. He made public claims against A Jayathilak and K Gopalakrishnan (IAS:2013:KL) (Industry Department) and even challenged the integrity of a media leak related to missing files from the Unnathi initiative, meant for SC/ST empowerment.
Prasanth has publicly framed the disciplinary action as political targeting, arguing that the allegations were built on questionable digital evidence and administrative concealment.
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