B Ashok and N. Prasanth
The Kerala government has issued orders revoking the suspensions of IAS officers B. Ashok and N. Prasanth. Both officers had been placed under suspension during the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s term on charges of criticising the government.
As per separate orders dated June 6 issued by Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak, the suspensions stand revoked with “immediate effect.” The ongoing disciplinary proceedings against the officers would continue in accordance with the relevant service rules, the orders said.
Mr. Prasanth, a 2007 batch officer, was placed under suspension on November 11, 2024, for levelling serious allegations against Mr. Jayathilak, then Additional Chief Secretary and now the Chief Secretary of Kerala, and former Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan. The suspension has since been extended multiple times, the latest extension coming in May 2026.
Mr. Ashok, a senior officer of the 1998 batch of the Kerala cadre was Vice Chancellor, Kerala Agricultural University, and Principal Secretary, Sainik Welfare, when he was suspended in April this year for criticising government policies on social media. Mr. Ashok’s earlier disputes with the LDF government over his postings had grabbed headlines on several occasions.
Published – June 07, 2026 04:27 pm IST
