Religious WhatsApp group; Police to start preliminary investigation against IAS Gopalakrishnan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Police are investigating suspended Industries Department Director K. Gopalakrishnan in the incident of forming a WhatsApp group of Hindu and Muslim IAS officers. Thiruvananthapuram City Narcotics Cell Assistant Commissioner Aji Chandran will conduct the preliminary investigation. The report should be submitted within two weeks. A case should be filed on this basis.

The police had received legal advice that a case could be filed against Gopalakrishnan. The District Government Pleader had pointed out in his legal advice that the WhatsApp group, which separated IAS officers on the basis of religion, paves the way for division, destruction of unity and religious rivalry. City Police Commissioner G. Sparjankumar sought legal advice on a complaint by Kollam DCC General Secretary Faisal Kulappadam. However, the decision to conduct a preliminary investigation was taken because the IAS officers were opposing the filing of a case.

No messages were exchanged except for the formation of the WhatsApp group. The purpose of forming the group is also unclear. Therefore, the IAS officers are of the view that no case can be filed. The Chief Secretary's suspension order stated that Gopalakrishnan had formed the group with the aim of creating division and destroying unity among IAS officers. The investigation found that Gopalakrishnan's complaint that the group was formed by hacking his phone was false.