THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister E P Jayarajan has said that if charges against former Principal Secretary M Shivashankar is proved, strong action will be taken against him.

“There is no need for government to protect anyone. The probe into gold smuggling will take its own course. In this case, the government need not fear anything,” he said.

Jayarajan’s comment has come amid the reports that Shivashankar may be suspended very soon.

The committee appointed by the government has found out that Shivashankar had violated the protocol that an IAS officer is supposed to follow. The committee will submit before the chief minister the report on the veracity of allegations against Shivashankar.

Meanwhile, the chief minister has held discussions with CPM-CPI leaders and ministers in this regard.

Till now, the chief minister has been of the opinion that “let report come first…”.

But the CPM and CPI feels that further delay will badly damage the government’s image.