Thiruvananthapuram: The state police are learned to have opted not to register a criminal case against IAS officer K Gopalakrishnan despite concerns regarding the creation of WhatsApp groups with communal overtones. Sources indicated that the decision was made after a thorough review of the officer's actions, which were limited to the establishment of these separate groups that were created by adding Hindu and Muslim IAS officers in them.
According to police, Gopalakrishnan did not post any content in the groups that could be construed as promoting enmity between different religious communities. If he shared messages with religious undertones, he could face charges under Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code), which addresses the promotion of hostility between different groups based on religion, race, or other factors. However, as no such content was shared, police concluded that his actions did not meet the threshold for criminal charges.
Instead, Gopalakrishnan's conduct, including the creation of the WhatsApp groups and the filing of a false complaint with the police, has been deemed "unbecoming of an All India Service officer." This characterisation suggests that while his actions may not warrant criminal prosecution, they will definitely lead to disciplinary measures within the service.
The officer is under suspension pending inquiry, which will further assess the implications of his actions on his professional standing. The situation has raised concerns about the responsibilities and conduct expected of public servants, particularly in maintaining communal harmony in a diverse society.