The Kerala High Court on Friday expressed strong reservations over convicted former Kerala Director General of Police (DGP) Tomin J Thachankary's plea seeking permission to travel abroad for work.
Justice A Badharudeen said that after his conviction in a disproportionate assets case in September, Thachankary had claimed that he was unwell and had gotten himself shifted to a hospital from jail. He had later gotten bail from the High Court.
However, his current plea was filed seeking permission to go abroad, the Court noted.
The Court further took note of Thachankary's medical records produced before the Court and held that the matter required a detailed hearing to scrutinise those records.
The judge observed that Thachankary had remained in hospital throughout his period in custody.
"He has been admitted to the hospital from the date of admission till the date of release. He has not been in jail even for a day. Nicely stayed in the hospital. There he has 1,000 ailments. Now, no ailments. Wants to go to Dubai and do a job. How can it be? Don't repeat lies before the Court," said the Court.
The Court also warned that it could consider cancelling the bail granted to Thachankary.
"This type of person needs to be treated seriously. If this is the position, I may go for the option to cancel the bail," said Justice Badharudeen.
He was admitted to the hospital from the date of admission (in jail) till the date of release. He has not been in jail even for a day. There he has 1,000 ailments. Now, no ailments. Wants to go to Dubai and do a job. How can it be? Don't repeat lies.Kerala High Court
The Court questioned how Thachankary could claim to be seriously ill while in jail but now seek to travel overseas for employment.
“Jailil channa avd kedkandirikyan hospital ill poyikedakum, jailinnu erangiyaal poorna arogyavaan. This an all cannot happen,” it said.
(Translation) "When he goes to jail, he goes and lies down in the hospital instead of staying in jail. Once he comes out of jail, he is completely healthy. All this cannot happen."
The case against Thachankary originated from a complaint by one Bobby Kuruvila, who alleged that the former DGP had acquired properties, including houses and flats, disproportionate to his known income.
Thachankary was subsequently sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment by the Kottayam Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance) KV Rajaneesh in September 2026 after being convicted under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The Vigilance Court found that he had amassed assets worth ₹30.84 lakh disproportionate to his known sources of income during the check period between 2003 and 2007. The amount constituted 52.33% of his known income.
The Court also imposed a fine of ₹30,84,892 on him.
Thachankary then moved the High Court challenging the verdict. Last month, the High Court decided to stay his prison sentence until his appeal is decided.
The High Court had earlier directed the Superintendent of Poojappura Central Jail to submit details of Thachankary's hospitalisation during his four weeks in custody, including the number of days he spent in hospital and the ailments for which he received treatment. These medical records were produced before the Court on Friday and taken on record.
Advocates S Rajeev, Sarath KP, Anilkumar CR, KS Kiran Krishnan, Dipa V, Akash Cherian Thomas, TP Aravind, Azad Sunil, Akshara S, Nivedita Rajeev., Ebee Antony and MS Aneer appeared for Thachankery.
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