Former state DGP Tomin J Thachankary
Justice A Badharudeen issued the order on an application filed by Thachankary, who was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment and fined Rs 30.84 lakh by the inquiry commissioner and special judge (vigilance), Kottayam, for amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. the court imposed a special condition requiring Thachankary to deposit 75% of the fine amount (over Rs 23 lakh) before the special court before executing a bail bond of Rs 5 lakh with two solvent sureties each While granting bail. The court clarified that the bail bond would not be accepted until the 75% deposit was made. The vigilance special court, Kottayam, had sentenced Thachankary on Sept 17 in a case relating to allegations that he had amassed wealth while serving as a senior police officer between Jan 1, 2003, and July 4, 2007. The single bench noted prima facie that the special judge’s finding — that the evidence, including 23 defence witnesses, was insufficient to justify Thachankary’s contention that there was no disproportionate amassment — could not be faulted.
Kochi : The high court has suspended the four-year rigorous imprisonment sentence imposed on former Director General of Police (DGP) Tomin J Thachankary in a disproportionate assets case and granted him bail on stringent conditions. He was also barred from leaving India without permission and directed not to be involved in any other criminal cases. In his appeal challenging the conviction, Thachankary contended that the special judge’s findings were erroneous and that the evidence adduced by the prosecution was insufficient to convict him. He also sought suspension of his sentence and release on bail. The special public prosecutor opposed the bail plea, citing Thachankary’s failure to account for the wealth. However, considering the duration of the sentence, the court decided to suspend it in the interest of justice and grant him bail.
He has been in jail since then.