Thiruvananthapuram: The state government has again extended the suspension of M Sivasankar, who was prosecuted for his alleged involvement in the gold smuggling case at the Thiruvananthapuram airport. The action against M Sivasankar, the former principal secretary to the chief minister, was based on the circumstances of the accused in the criminal case. The state government has informed the Union Ministry of Personnel about the extension of the suspension. Shivshankar is accused in cases registered by the Enforcement Directorate and Customs in connection with gold smuggling. Shivshankar has service remaining till January 2023.
Swapna Suresh, the accused in the gold smuggling case, was appointed to a government office and his close association with the accused was the reason for the action.
The suspension was based on the report of a committee comprising the Chief Secretary and the Additional Chief Secretary of Finance. Shivshankar was suspended on July 16, 2020.
States can suspend an IAS officer facing investigation or trial for a criminal offense. A corruption case or normal suspension period is one year. After this, the state government can extend the suspension period if required. The Center should be informed about this. Otherwise, the suspension will be withdrawn voluntarily. An IAS officer can be suspended from service for a maximum of two years only.
