Kochi, Kerala: Evidence of an unusual VIP intervention shortly before sanction was granted to prosecute former Kerala DGP Tomin J Thachankary in a corruption case has surfaced, with a court releasing a recommendation letter marked ‘top secret’.

The letter, dated May 25, 2011, was submitted by a Rajya Sabha member to the then Union Home Secretary. It sought an opportunity for Thachankary to present his side and submit a representation before sanction was granted to prosecute him.

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The letter surfaced during the trial of the corruption case at the Kottayam Vigilance Court, where Thachankary had raised a dispute concerning the prosecution sanction.

Following his contention, the court directed an Under Secretary of the Union Home Ministry, who appeared as a prosecution witness, to produce the relevant files. Examination of the files led to the discovery of the recommendation letter.

The Kottayam Vigilance Court released the full contents of the letter, which begins with the words, “Dear Shri Pillai ji”. However, the court has not disclosed the identity of the Rajya Sabha member who wrote it.

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Based on the recommendation, the Centre considered a representation submitted by Thachankary and subsequently sought an explanation from the Kerala government on 11 points.

According to information that emerged during the proceedings, the recommendation was made by a prominent Rajya Sabha member who was in a position to exert influence over the Congress-led government at the time.

Despite the recommendation and subsequent representations, the Centre ultimately granted sanction to prosecute Thachankary after examining the matter in greater detail, the Vigilance Court observed.