Birthday bash: Thachankary expresses regret, minister wants him sacked

Kozhikode: Transport Commissioner Tomin J Thachankary has publicly expressed regret after the celebration of his birthday in various offices of Motor Vehicles Department in the state became controversial.

“Distribution of sweets on my birthday was with good intentions. But that was taken in a wrong sense. It was considered as an act of projecting my self-importance. I should have avoided that. The people in Kerala took it in a wrong sense. So I apologise,” Thachankary said while speaking at a function here.

He added he would be careful in such situations in future.

Transport Minister A K Saseendran was also present at the function.

Meanwhile, the minister has demanded sacking of the Transport Commissioner from the post. Saseendran is of an opinion that the Commissioner issues orders in matters related to the Transport department without his knowledge.

Thachankary, a 1984-batch IPS officer, cut cakes and distributed sweets at various functions in Kochi on his birthday, while elsewhere in the state, the department staff handed down cakes and ladoos on the occasion.

As the issue became a talking point, Thachankary claimed he had spent money for the celebrations from his own pocket and hence there was no need to whip up any controversy.

With controversy brew over the celebrations, Saseendran had directed the Chief Secretary to look into the matter.

The senior IPS officer has always been dogged by controversies, ranging from allegedly amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income and making frequent trips abroad without seeking government’s permission.