Thiruvananthapuram, 03 May (H.S.): The Kerala government has initiated fresh disciplinary proceedings against N Prasanth, Special Secretary in the Agriculture Department, for allegedly speaking to the media without prior permission and criticising the government. This marks the eighth instance of disciplinary action against the senior IAS officer, underscoring the prolonged confrontation between him and the state administration.

The latest notice has been issued by the Chief Secretary, even as Prasanth remains under suspension. Officials said the action was triggered after he reportedly interacted with the media without authorisation, in violation of service rules that govern conduct of civil servants. The development comes at a time when a review committee is expected to convene to assess his suspension and related matters.

Prasanth was suspended from service on November 11, 2024, following allegations that he had publicly criticised Dr A Jayathilak through social media posts. The government cited his remarks as misconduct, noting that they breached norms of discipline and decorum expected from a senior civil servant.

On the same day, another IAS officer, K Gopalakrishnan, was also placed under suspension in connection with the formation of a WhatsApp group allegedly based on religious lines. The simultaneous suspension of two officers marked a rare moment in Kerala’s civil service history and drew considerable attention within administrative and political circles.

With repeated disciplinary actions now piling up, the case of N Prasanth has become one of the most closely watched internal administrative disputes in the state, raising broader questions about service conduct, freedom of expression, and the limits of dissent within the bureaucracy.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman