FIR filed against former Kerala Vigilance director

An FIR has been filed against former Kerala Vigilance director DGP Jacob Thomas in connection with a case of alleged corruption and misuse of office as the director of Ports in the procurement of a dredger, causing the exchequer a loss of Rs 14 crore during 2009-14.

The FIR was filed at a vigilance court here by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, Kerala, sources told PTI Friday.

The department has listed corruption charges against Thomas, alleging that he misused his office and procured a dredger, causing a financial loss of Rs 14 crore to the state exchequer, they said.

Earlier, a special team constituted to investigate the matter had given a report to the Vigilance Department based on which the FIR was filed, according to the sources.

The report had said the purchase was made without meeting any required specifications for the dredger, they said.

It had also pointed out that undue favours were given to a foreign company for the dredger's purchase, the sources added.