How can a man who spent his entire custody period in hospital now seek to work in Dubai? The Kerala High Court on Friday asked as much, orally, while hearing convicted former DGP Tomin Thachankary’s plea to travel abroad for work, and warned that it may cancel his bail.
Kochi: Jail hospitalisation records placed before the Kerala High Court on November 6, 2026 drew sharp oral remarks from the bench as it heard a plea by former Kerala Director General of Police Tomin J. Thachankary, convicted in a disproportionate assets case, for permission to go abroad for employment. The Court said the matter needed a detailed hearing to scrutinise his medical records [Tomin J. Thachankary v. State of Kerala].
Justice A. Badharudeen, hearing the plea, noted that after his conviction in September, Thachankary had claimed to be unwell and was shifted from jail to hospital, where he remained throughout his custody until the High Court suspended his sentence.
From conviction to suspended sentence
The case began with a complaint by Bobby Kuruvila, who alleged that Thachankary had acquired houses, flats and other properties disproportionate to his known income. In September 2026, the Kottayam Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance) K.V. Rajaneesh convicted him under the Prevention of Corruption Act, finding assets worth Rs 30.84 lakh, or 52.33 per cent of his known income, disproportionate during the 2003 to 2007 check period. The sentence was four years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 30,84,892.
Thachankary appealed to the High Court, which last month suspended his sentence pending the appeal. Earlier, the Court had directed the Superintendent of Poojappura Central Jail to report how many days he spent in hospital during his four weeks in custody and which ailments were treated; those records were taken on file on Friday. The appeal against the conviction is pending, and the High Court has not yet ruled on its merits.
“Don’t repeat lies before the Court”
Going through the jail hospitalisation records placed before it, the Court made pointed oral remarks:
“He has been admitted to the hospital from the date of admission till the date of release. He has not been in jail even for a day. Nicely stayed in the hospital. There he has 1,000 ailments. Now, no ailments. Wants to go to Dubai and do a job. How can it be? Don’t repeat lies before the Court.”
The judge also indicated that bail could be revisited:
“This type of person needs to be treated seriously. If this is the position, I may go for the option to cancel the bail.”
Speaking in Malayalam, the Court observed that a person cannot lie in hospital while in jail and then be fully healthy once released. These remarks were made orally during the hearing; no order cancelling bail has been passed, and the plea will be heard in detail.
Why the hearing matters
Suspension of sentence and bail rest on the convict’s own representations, including claims about health. By setting a former police chief’s hospital stay against his later request to work overseas, the Court has shown that relief obtained on one footing can be reconsidered if the footing appears inconsistent. Whether it allows foreign travel, imposes conditions or revisits bail will be decided after the detailed hearing.
Case Title: Tomin J. Thachankary v. State of Kerala (case title as per appeal record; verify)
Bench: Justice A. Badharudeen, Kerala High Court
Date of Hearing: November 6, 2026
Appearances: Advocates S. Rajeev, Sarath K.P., Anilkumar C.R. and others for Tomin J. Thachankary