Jacob Thomas (police officer)

Born on 15 May 1960 at Teekoy, a village in Kottayam district of the south Indian state of Kerala, Jacob Thomas did his schooling at St. Mary's High School in Teekoy after which he completed the pre-degree course at St. George's College Aruvithura before graduating in BSc Agricultural from KAU. Subsequently, he secured PG and PhD degrees from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Later, obtained a second PhD in human resources development. He also earned a postgraduate diploma in Environment and Sustainable Development. In 1984, he passed the Civil Services Exam to be inducted into the service in 1985.{{Cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/kerala-vigilance-anti-corruption-bureau-ips-officer-jacob-thomas-3732940/ |title=Now in favour, now out, Kerala cop Jacob Thomas who often takes on high-ups |date=2016-11-02 |website=The Indian Express |language=en-IN |access-date=2019-03-22}}

Jacob Thomas is married to Daisy.{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/ktaka-asks-kerala-ips-officer-jacob-thomas-wife-leave-encroached-forest-land-coorg-52262 |title=K'taka asks Kerala IPS officer Jacob Thomas' wife to leave |website=www.thenewsminute.com |date=2 November 2016 |access-date=2019-03-22}}

Thomas started his police service in 1987 as an Assistant Superintendent of Police, his initial postings were at Thodupuzha and Kasaragod and in 1989, he was promoted as the Superintendent of Police at the Criminal Investigation Department, a post he held until 1991 when he was appointed as the managing director of the Plantation Corporation of Kerala Limited.{{Cite web |url=http://www.jacobthomasips.com/achievements/ |title=Achievements - Dr.Jacob Thomas IPS |date=2019-03-22 |website=www.jacobthomasips.com |access-date=2019-03-22 |archive-date=21 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321150422/http://www.jacobthomasips.com/achievements/ |url-status=dead }} His next posting was at the Kerala State Horticulture Products Development Corporation (Horticorp), as its managing director in 1993.{{Cite web |url=http://horticorp.org/office-bearers/ |title=Officials – Horticorp |date=2019-03-22 |language=en-US |access-date=2019-03-22 |archive-date=22 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322065010/http://horticorp.org/office-bearers/ |url-status=dead }} He went back to police service in 1997 as the Commissioner of Police of Kochi{{Cite web |url=https://kochicity.keralapolice.gov.in/kochi-city-police/history/former-chiefs |title=Former Chiefs |date=2019-03-22 |website=Kochi City Police |access-date=2019-03-22}} and returned to the Crime Investigation Department as a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in 1998 but his tenure there was short as he was moved to the Kerala Women's Commission as its director the next year. He held the post for almost five years before moving to the Motor Vehicles Department of the Government of Kerala in 2003 as the Joint Transport Commissioner.{{Cite web |url=https://mvd.kerala.gov.in/index.php/about-us/additional-commissioner |title=List of Joint Transport Commissioners/Additional Transport Commissioners |date=2019-03-22 |website=Motor Vehicles Department |access-date=2019-03-22 |archive-date=22 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322071236/https://mvd.kerala.gov.in/index.php/about-us/additional-commissioner |url-status=dead }}

The next posting of Thomas was as the Chief Investigation Officer of the Kerala State Human Rights Commission in 2003, followed by postings as the senior advisor of administration at the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, in 2004 and as the chairman and managing director of the Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation, the same year. He became the chairman of the board of directors of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation,{{Cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/Court-to-consider-plea-against-Jacob-Thomas-on-January-19/article17029799.ece |title=Court to consider plea against Jacob Thomas on January 19 |author=Staff Reporter |date=2017-01-12 |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |access-date=2019-03-22}} simultaneously serving as a member of the board of governors of Sree Chitra Thirunal College of Engineering, as a member of the board of directors of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation and as the managing director of the Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kerala-vigilance-chief-jacob-thomas-gets-clean-chit-hc-rules-out-cbi-enquiry-54014 |title=Kerala Vigilance chief Jacob Thomas gets clean chit |website=www.thenewsminute.com |date=8 December 2016 |access-date=2019-03-22}} during the period until 2010 when he was appointed as the managing director of the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cppr.in/programs/11th-quarterly-lecture-by-dr-jacob-thomas-ips/ |title=11th Quarterly Lecture by Dr. Jacob Thomas IPS |last=Media |first=CPPR |date=2016-01-06 |website=Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR) |access-date=2019-03-22}} He also held the position of the director of ports.{{Cite web |url=https://www.keralakaumudi.com/en/news/kerala/general/vigilance-investigation-against-jacob-thomas-19904 |title=Vigilance investigation against Jacob Thomas |website=Keralakaumudi Daily |access-date=2019-03-22}}

Jacob Thomas was promoted as the Additional Director General of Police in 2014 with a placement at the Lokayukta and later at the Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau as its director, a post he held until 2015.{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/DGP-Jacob-Thomas-takes-charge-as-director-of-vigilance-and-anti-corruption-bureau/articleshow/52557259.cms |title=DGP Jacob Thomas takes charge as director of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau - Times of India |website=The Times of India |date=2 June 2016 |access-date=2019-03-22}} He returned to head the Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau in 2016, in between he served as the Director General of the Fire and Rescue Services, Civil Defense and Home Guards and as the chairman and managing director of the Kerala Police Housing & Construction Corporation.

In 2017, he was appointed as the Director General of the Institute of Management in Government, Apex Training Institute of the Government of Kerala,{{Cite web |url=http://www.img.kerala.gov.in/index.php/about-us/former-directors0 |title=Former directors |date=2019-03-22 |website=img.kerala.govin |access-date=2019-03-22 |archive-date=22 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322091905/http://www.img.kerala.gov.in/index.php/about-us/former-directors0 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/200617/jacob-thomas-returns-as-img-director.html |title=Jacob Thomas returns as IMG director |date=2017-06-20 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en |access-date=2019-03-22}} but was suspended from service in December 2017.{{Cite web |url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/ygBq0yzIOXT7xq2ZnJiYnK/Kerala-government-suspends-DGP-Jacob-Thomas.html |title=Kerala government suspends DGP Jacob Thomas |last=M.K |first=Nidheesh |date=2017-12-20 |website=livemint.com |language=en |access-date=2019-03-22}} Though he was reinstated after the period of suspension, he was served a second suspension notice in April 2018, citing the publication of his autobiography as the reason.{{Cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2018/apr/18/kerala-government-suspends-dgp-jacob-thomas-again-1803177.html |title=Kerala government suspends DGP Jacob Thomas again |website=The New Indian Express |date=18 April 2018 |access-date=2019-03-22}} In December 2018, his suspension was extended by another six months.{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kerala-dgp-jacob-thomas-suspension-extended-6-months-93744 |title=Kerala DGP Jacob Thomas suspension extended 6 months |website=www.thenewsminute.com |date=21 December 2018 |access-date=2019-03-22}}

Thomas retired from service as the managing director of [http://themetalindustries.in/ The Metal Industries Limited, Shoranur] on 31 May 2020.{{cite news| url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/dgp-calls-it-a-day-by-sleeping-on-office-floor/article31726493.ece/amp/| title = Kerala DGP Jacob Thomas calls it a day by sleeping on office floor - The Hindu| newspaper = The Hindu| date = June 2020| last1 = Naha| first1 = Abdul Latheef}}

Jacob Thomas has been involved with a number of non-governmental organizations such as Top Centre, Darshan, and ExcelKerala, the last one a platform for open exchange of information on governance.{{Cite web |url=http://www.excelkerala.in/excelteam |title=Excelkerala team |date=2019-03-22 |website=excelkerala.in |access-date=2019-03-22 |archive-date=22 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322063210/http://www.excelkerala.in/excelteam |url-status=dead }} He has also been associated with several international agencies such as UNICEF, UNDP, KAF, Department for International Development and Ford Foundation. He authored two books on management, Strategic Management{{Cite book |url=https://www.books-by-isbn.com/93-325/933253540X-Strategic-Management-Thomas-93-325-3540-X.html |title=Strategic Management |last=Thomas |first=Jacob |publisher=Pearson India |year=2015 |isbn=978-93-325-3540-4}} and Environmental Management,{{Cite book |url=https://www.books-by-isbn.com/93-325/9332515816-Environmental-Management-1-Thomas-93-325-1581-6.html |title=Environmental Management |last=Thomas |first=Jacob |publisher=Pearson India |year=2014}} besides two other books, Kaaryavum Kaaranavum, a memoirs on his service life{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1027034869 |title=Kaaryavum Kaaranavum |last=Jacob |first=Thōmas |publisher=DC Books |year=2017 |isbn=9789386680259 |location=Kottayam, Kerala State, India |oclc=1027034869}} and Sraavukalkoppam Neenthumpol (Swimming With The Sharks), his autobiography.{{Cite book |title=Sraavukalkoppam Neenthumpol |last=Thomas |first=Jacob |publisher=Current Books |year=2017 |isbn=978-8122613957}}

Jacob Thomas, who has been the captain of the Athletics team of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, Hyderabad and the recipient of the best probationer of the academy, was selected as the Newsmaker of the Year 2015 by Manorama News.{{Cite web |url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/india-strength-honest-workers-rajdeep-sardesai-kochi.html |title=Jacob Thomas struggled to clean up the system, inspired many: Rajdeep Sardesai |website=OnManorama |access-date=2019-03-22}} He received the President's Police Medal for Meritorious Service from the President of India in 2016.{{Cite web |url=https://keralapolice.gov.in/kerala-police/achievements-and-awards/presidents-medal-winners/2016 |title=Presidents Police Medal for Meritorious Service |date=2019-03-22 |website=keralapolice.gov.in |access-date=2019-03-22 |archive-date=6 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606091132/http://keralapolice.gov.in/kerala-police/achievements-and-awards/presidents-medal-winners/2016 |url-status=dead }}

Jacob Thomas retired as the richest police officer in the history of Kerala Police holding declared assets of over Rs 42 crores in 2021.{{Cite web |title=Jacob Thomas(Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)):Constituency- IRINJALAKKUDA(THRISSUR) - Affidavit Information of Candidate |url=https://myneta.info/Kerala2021/candidate.php?candidate_id=695 |access-date=2022-03-07 |website=myneta.info}} The biggest allegations against Jacob Thomas was that he holds undisclosed land in multiple states including 50 acres in Sethur village in Rajapalayam taluk of Virudhunagar in Tamil Nadu. His actions over the years have earned him the tag of a rebel cop, has been involved in a number of controversies during his career. In January 2017, a writ petition was filed against him at the Muvattupuzha Vigilance Court alleging corrupt practices while he was heading the Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation. His actions as the vigilance director against two additional chief secretaries and E. P. Jayarajan. the then minister of industries, are reported to have forced Pinarayi Vijayan, the chief minister of Kerala, to ask him to go on leave and his return to service was as the head of the Institute of Management in Government, an administrative position.{{Cite web |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/jacob-thomas-appointed-img-director-vigilance-director-1.2026049 |title=Jacob Thomas appointed IMG Director |website=Mathrubhumi |date=19 June 2017 |language=en |access-date=2019-03-22}} Earlier, he had alleged that his actions against political leaders such as R. Balakrishna Pillai, C. Divakaran and K. Babu were the reasons for removing him from the post of the vigilance director in his first stint.{{Cite web |url=https://newsable.asianetnews.com/kerala/kerala-awaits-ips-officer-jacob-thomas-tell-all-autobiography |title=Kerala awaits IPS officer Jacob Thomas' 'tell all' autobiography |website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd |access-date=2019-03-22}} His investigation in the bar bribery case involving K. M. Mani, former finance minister, also attracted media attention.{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/rise-jacob-thomas-ips-anti-corruption-crusader-36705 |title=The Rise of Jacob Thomas IPS as an anti-corruption crusader |website=www.thenewsminute.com |date=10 December 2015 |access-date=2019-03-22}} At the time of retirement, he was facing a government-level probe for penning an autobiography without obtaining prior sanction had found him of having committed serious breach of discipline and criminal misconduct that should earn him major disciplinary actions. According to the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, major disciplinary actions include demotion to a lower rank, compulsory retirement and termination from service.{{Cite web|author=KP Saikiran|date=Jan 22, 2020|title=Kerala government to demote Jacob Thomas as ADGP {{!}} Thiruvananthapuram News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/govt-to-demote-jacob-thomas-as-adgp/articleshow/73499346.cms|access-date=2022-01-15|website=The Times of India|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2020-01-22|title=Move to demote Kerala's senior most IPS officer Jacob Thomas|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/move-to-demote-keralas-senior-most-ips-officer-jacob-thomas-797019.html|access-date=2022-01-15|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}}

He was demoted from DGP to ADGP by the Kerala Government in January 2020.{{Cite web|first=Jithin|last=Chandran|title=Jacob Thomas demoted from DGP to ADGP|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/jacob-thomas-demoted-from-dgp-to-adgp--1.4465056|access-date=2022-01-15|website=Mathrubhumi|date=22 January 2020 |language=en}}

Thomas joined Bharatiya Janata Party in 2021 and was nominated to fight 2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly election from Irinjalakuda constituency.{{cite web|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/former-dgp-jacob-thomas-joins-bjp-1.5411360|title=Former DGP Jacob Thomas joins BJP |date=4 February 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/news.php?id=484245&u=jacob-thomas-to-contest-assembly-election-as-bjp-candidate|title=Jacob Thomas to contest assembly election as BJP candidate}} He lost to the candidate of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).{{cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/elections/irinjalakuda-kerala-election-result-2021|title=Irinjalakuda Election Result 2021|date=14 April 2021}}

• {{Cite book |url=https://www.books-by-isbn.com/93-325/9332515816-Environmental-Management-1-Thomas-93-325-1581-6.html |title=Environmental Management |last=Thomas |first=Jacob |publisher=Pearson India |year=2014}}
• {{Cite book |url=https://www.books-by-isbn.com/93-325/933253540X-Strategic-Management-Thomas-93-325-3540-X.html |title=Strategic Management |last=Thomas |first=Jacob |publisher=Pearson India |year=2015 |isbn=978-93-325-3540-4}}
• {{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1027034869 |title=Kaaryavum Kaaranavum |first=Jacob |last=Thōmas |publisher=DC Books |year=2017 |isbn=9789386680259 |location=Kottayam, Kerala State, India |oclc=1027034869}}
• {{Cite book |title=Sraavukalkoppam Neenthumpol |last=Thomas |first=Jacob |publisher=Current Books |year=2017 |isbn=978-8122613957}}

{{Portal|India}}

• T. P. Senkumar
• Lokanath Behera
• V. Joseph Thomas

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-govt-suspends-dgp-jacob-thomas-on-corruption-charges/article25797317.ece |title=Kerala Govt suspends DGP Jacob Thomas on corruption charges |date=2018-12-21 |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |access-date=2019-03-22}}
• {{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/jacob-thomas-faces-action-for-his-autobiography/articleshow/61840669.cms |title=Jacob Thomas faces action for his autobiography - Times of India |website=The Times of India |date=29 November 2017 |access-date=2019-03-22}}
• {{Cite web |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/cm-to-release-jacob-thomas-autobiography-1.1951800 |title=CM to release Jacob Thomas' autobiography |website=Mathrubhumi |date=20 May 2017 |language=en |access-date=2019-03-22}}
• {{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6Ap232WgVY |title=DGP Jacob Thomas is Manorama News Newsmaker 2015 |last=Manorama News |website=YouTube |date=2016-01-09 |access-date=2019-03-22}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Jacob}}

Category:1960 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Kottayam

Category:Writers from Kerala

Category:Indian non-fiction writers

Category:Indian Police Service officers

Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Kerala

Category:Civil servants from Kerala