'Avoided jail citing serious illness, now planning to go abroad?' High Court raps Tomin J Thachankary

KOCHI: The High Court once again expressed criticism regarding the petition filed by former DGP Tomin J Thachankary seeking permission to travel abroad. The court asked Thachankary’s counsel, "He hasn't spent even a single day in jail, has he?" The court also questioned how Thachankary could travel abroad for work, given that the reports indicate he suffers from a serious illness.

Furthermore, the court warned of cancelling his bail if the statements produced are found to be lies.

"After being convicted, he spent his time in the hospital, claiming to be ill. How could such a person go abroad for work? When it’s time to go to jail, he falls ill, but once he’s out, he wants to go abroad to work. Thachankary should have remembered that those in the court also possess intelligence," remarked Justice A Badharudeen.

On September 17, the Vigilance Court sentenced former DGP Tomin J Thachankary in a case involving the accumulation of disproportionate assets while he held an official position between 2003 and 2007. The Kottayam Vigilance Court handed down a sentence of four years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 30.84 lakh.

Subsequently, on October 15, the High Court stayed the sentence and granted bail to Thachankary. This action was taken in response to an interim plea seeking a stay on the sentence imposed by the Kottayam Vigilance Court, pending the disposal of the appeal in the case. Following this, Thachankary sought a relaxation of his bail conditions, citing a need to travel abroad for professional purposes.