The Kerala High Court on Monday, 2 November 2026, sharply questioned the request of former Director General of Police Tomin J. Thachankary to travel abroad for employment, pointing to a glaring contradiction between his claimed serious illness during jail custody and his current plan to take up overseas work after securing bail.

The Court's Observations

Justice A. Badharudeen orally noted that Thachankary had been admitted to the jail hospital during his 28-day custody and questioned how the same individual could now seek permission to leave the country for a job. The court remarked that he appeared to have taken two entirely different positions — one before the court during bail proceedings, and another in his current travel plea.

Notably, the bench also observed that granting such relief under these circumstances could undermine public confidence in the judiciary.

Court Orders Jail Report

To examine the veracity of his travel request, the court directed the Jail Superintendent to submit a detailed report covering: the number of days Thachankary was actually admitted to the jail hospital; the ailments for which he received medical treatment; and the number of days he remained outside the hospital ward during his four-week custody. The court said this report would help it assess whether the overseas work plea is genuine in light of the facts on record. The case has been posted to 6 November for further hearing.

Background: Conviction and Bail

Thachankary, a retired DGP, was sentenced to four years in prison and fined ₹30.84 lakh by the Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance), Kottayam, in a disproportionate assets case under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The Kerala High Court suspended his sentence and granted him bail on 15 October, after he had spent approximately four weeks in custody. However, a condition barring him from leaving India without prior court permission remained in force.

He subsequently approached the High Court seeking relaxation of that bail condition, stating his intention to travel abroad and rejoin work overseas.

Why This Case Stands Out

Thachankary is reportedly the first retired police officer of Director General of Police rank in Kerala to be sent to prison following a criminal conviction. That distinction has drawn significant public and legal attention to his case. His latest plea has now placed his period of custody — and the medical treatment he received in jail — under direct judicial scrutiny. This comes amid broader concerns in India about high-ranking officials leveraging health claims during detention as a strategic legal tool.

What Happens Next

The Jail Superintendent's report will be placed before the court on 6 November. Depending on its findings, the court may either permit or deny his overseas travel request. The outcome is likely to be closely watched as a signal of how Indian courts balance post-conviction bail conditions against personal liberty claims for senior public officials.