Jacob Thomas IPS had come under criticism from the time the previous UDF government came to power. Thomas, who had fought against corruption in which ever department he worked, has been under suspension for more than a year. In an interview to a channel, he revealed that he was under pressure during his service in the fire force at the tenure of Oommen Chandy Government.

Thomas revealed this at a time when fire breaks out in big buildings in various parts of the state. While serving as fire force chief, Thomas had denied permission to building projects on the grounds of safety. If fire breaks out in some hospitals built without safety measures, patients are not even able to run out of it.

Political leadership started intervening when permission for 60 flats was denied at one point of time. Many including a minister had criticised me for it. The chief minister had also called me anti-people. I just wanted to ensure the safety of the people as it was my responsibility, he said. I told the builders who were uncomfortable with my steps to challenge it in the court. I told them like that as I knew the court gives priority to the safety of the people. None of the builders moved the court, but the then chief minister Oommen Chandy issued three memos. He wished to suspend me from service. At the same time, I had the strong support from the then home minister Ramesh Chennithala.