Tue Nov 12 06:23:23 UTC 2024: ## Kerala Suspends Two IAS Officers for Disciplinary Violations
**Thiruvananthapuram, [Date]:** The Kerala government has suspended two Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers on disciplinary grounds, citing violations of service conduct.
K Gopalakrishnan, Director of Industries and Commerce, was suspended for creating a WhatsApp group named “Mallu Hindu Officers” last month. Despite claiming his phone was hacked, a forensic examination found no evidence of hacking and revealed the phone had been formatted.
N Prashanth, Special Secretary in the Agriculture Development and Farmers’ Welfare department, was suspended following his public criticism of a senior officer, Additional Chief Secretary A Jayathilak, on Facebook. Prashanth accused Jayathilak of orchestrating false news reports against him, calling him a “psychopath”.
The suspension comes after a media report alleged missing files related to the ‘Unnathi’ program, which Prashanth had overseen as CEO. He has previously served as the Kozhikode District Collector and is known as “Collector Bro” on social media.
While Prashanth claims his criticism was aimed at individuals and their fabricated reports, he has admitted to not receiving the details of his suspension. He insists that he has not crossed any boundaries in exercising his right to free speech guaranteed by the Constitution.
This incident has sparked debate on the boundaries of free speech and the role of social media in public service. Former Fisheries Minister Mercykutty Amma has accused Prashanth of working with the Opposition UDF to level corruption charges against her.
The government has maintained that officers should uphold discipline while in service, and any violations will be met with strict action. The suspensions highlight the increasing scrutiny of government officials’ conduct and the delicate balance between free expression and professional responsibility.
First Piper 