The Kerala Government has extended the suspension of IAS officer N Prasanth until October 31, 2025—sparking renewed controversy over procedural fairness and legal validity.
A government order issued on May 7 formalized the decision following two review committee meetings. The first, held on April 23 under retired IAS officer Sarada Muraleedharan, reportedly recommended lifting the suspension. However, the second meeting on May 6—chaired by newly appointed Chief Secretary A Jayathilak—chose to extend it. Notably, the final order makes no reference to the earlier recommendation, raising concerns about transparency and due process.
Legal experts have criticized the omission as “highly irregular,” especially given the All India Services (AIS) Rules mandate central government approval for any suspension beyond six months. Whether such approval was obtained—or even requested—remains unclear.
Prasanth was initially suspended on November 11, 2024, following explosive social media allegations against Chief Secretary Jayathilak and then ST Development Director K Gopalakrishnan, accusing them of forgery, document fabrication, and conspiracy. His suspension was first extended in January, set to expire on April 30.
The latest extension has reignited debate in bureaucratic and legal circles, particularly since no new charges have been filed—unlike in previous cases, such as that of former IPS officer Jacob Thomas, where authorities reset the suspension timeline with fresh allegations.
The government’s silence on the April 23 recommendation and its failure to clarify the legal grounds for the extension have fueled accusations of administrative overreach. With growing demands for accountability, attention now turns to whether the Centre will step in—or if Prasanth will seek judicial redress.
