Medical board may probe Tomin Thachankary's illness

The Kerala High Court may order an investigation by a medical board to verify the authenticity of the illnesses of former DGP Tomin Thachankary, who is undergoing imprisonment in a disproportionate assets case. According to a report by The Hindu, Justice A. Badaruddin was hearing Thachankary's application on Thursday, in which he sought modification of bail conditions to resume work in the United Arab Emirates and to travel abroad.

The court observed that Thachankary had not spent a single day in a jail cell during his imprisonment. Raising questions orally, the judge said, "We need to know whether it was truly an illness or a conspiracy to avoid staying in a jail cell." The court further asked how a prisoner who was undergoing continuous treatment in jail suddenly became healthy after being granted bail? The court also noted that Thachankary might have visited jail cells while serving as the police chief, but not during his sentence.

Thachankary's lawyer S. Rajee informed the court that the applicant had breathing difficulties and was moved to the jail hospital to be connected to a respiratory device. In response, the court questioned how Thachankary would withstand the changes in pressure during a flight? Thachankary also sought to withdraw his application, but the court noted that there are inconsistencies in the applicant's logic and details, and the matter warrants serious consideration.

The Superintendent of Poojappura Central Jail had earlier submitted Thachankary's medical records. According to the report, Thachankary was admitted to the central jail on 17 September and remained continuously in the jail hospital block until he was released on bail on 15 October. According to his clinical history, he suffered from coronary artery disease and underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery in 2009. He also suffered from obstructive sleep apnea, was on continuous positive airway pressure ventilation for three years, and was also receiving treatment for psoriasis. Emphasising that the rule of law must be supreme, the court has deferred orders on this application.

Tomin Thachankary was a former DGP of the Kerala Police. He was involved in a disproportionate assets case.