The Kerala High Court on Monday (06 July) issued notice to former Director General of Police (DGP), Tomin J Thachankari over alleged continued use of Official Insignia in his private vehicle.

Justice G. Girish issued notice on a criminal revision petition challenging a Magistrate Court order dismissing a private complaint against former DGP for the continued use of the "Silver Star" DGP number plate.

According to the petition, the second respondent, who retired as DGP on July 31, 2023, allegedly continued displaying the official DGP insignia on his private vehicle after retirement. The petitioner claims that on April 22, 2026, the retired officer was seen arriving at the Vigilance Court in Kottayam using the official insignia, allegedly enabling him to project himself as a serving police officer and obtaining public respect and privileges associated with the office.

The petitioner argued that the alleged conduct constitutes offences of personation and cheating punishable under Sections 204 and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The revision petition further states that despite complaints to the local police and the Kozhikode district police chief, no FIR was registered, prompting the complainant to approach the Magistrate through a private complaint.

The revision petition contends that the Magistrate erred in dismissing the complaint without properly examining whether the allegations disclosed the ingredients of any cognizable offence. It alleges that the complaint was rejected in a mechanical manner at the pre-cognizance stage, without adequate judicial consideration of the statutory provisions invoked.

The petitioner has requested the High Court to set aside the Magistrate's order and restore the complaint for further proceedings in accordance with law.

Case Title: C.T Muneer v State of Kerala and Anr.

Case No: Crl Rev. Pet 752/ 2026

Counsel for Petitioner: P.V. Anoop, Phijo Pradeesh Philip, Junaid.V.S, M.Abhijith Krishnan