In an unusual development, displaying an official star insignia on his car after years of retirement has invited a penalty for former Kerala DGP Tomin Thachankary (IPS:1987:KL). The motor vehicles department has imposed a fine of Rs 250 on him for this violation of rules. The action was taken after an investigation by the Kottayam Enforcement RTO found that the insignia was used unlawfully, as only serving officials are permitted to use that. The fine was levied for his continued use of the official emblem after retirement.
Official sources said the board had been placed on the vehicle by the driver to secure a parking space. Since the department has already taken action, police have indicated that no further procedures are required.
The matter came to public glare after Thachankary was spotted travelling to the Kottayam Vigilance Court recently, with the board placed on his car.
A lawyer activist, Adv. Kulathur Jaisingh, lodged a complaint seeking the registration of a case against Thachankary, alleging that the action taken by the MVD amounts to an attempt to downplay the issue as a minor traffic violation to avoid deeper legal scrutiny.
The matter drew the attention of the incumbent DGP, Rawada Chandrasekhar (IPS:1991:KL), who reportedly passed an order on Sunday instructing police officials to register a case against Thachankary for misusing official insignia (DGP star board) on a private vehicle even after retirement.
Earlier, he had ordered the Kottayam SP to conduct an investigation into the allegation in which the Kottayam SP reported a violation of rules by Thachankary. The DGP then ordered him to file a case against him for misusing official insignia on a private vehicle after retirement.
The complainant has also argued that the matter should be investigated as a serious misuse of official symbols and authority.
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