IAS Raju Narayanaswamy, a 1991 batch of Kerala cadre has moved Supreme court claiming for chief secretary's grade.
Swamy, who is known as crusader and whistleblower for his action against corruption, has pleaded that he has completed 30 years of service and this is eligible for the grade.
The apex court issued a notice to the Kerala government to reply on the matter.
Swamy had first approached Kerala High Court, which had directed the stage government to look into the matter favourably but the Kerala government did not act upon the directions.
Swamy, known for his fighting spirit, then moved Supreme Court to get justice.
Who is Narayanaswamy?
Swamy was All India first Rank of 1991 batch. He is often compared with his batchmate IAS Ashok Khemka of Haryana cadre for record transfers in his career.
He has held a number of posts and has been repeatedly penalised for exposing corruption. In his career spanning 32 years, he has been transferred more than 30 times.
Swamy is a B.Tech from IIT Madras in computer science and engineering and has a PhD in law from the Gujarat National Law University.
He has authored 31 books and won the Sahitya Academy Award for his Travelogue ‘Shantimantram Muzhangunna Thazhvarayil'.
Controversial career
During his career Swamy didn't spare even ministers if he found them involved in corruption.
“In my service life, I have always fought against corruption. We could be sidelined but officers should not get demoralized. The public applause we get for taking a strong stand on issues is what keeps us going”, he had said.
In 2007, Narayanaswamy inquired into a proposed land deal by the son and daughter of Keral Public Works minister T U Kuruvilka, who was forced to resign after an investigation.
Kuruvilla's children had taken ₹65 million from NRI businessman, promising to sell him land suspected of encroaching. The sale fell through, and the businessman went public; Kuruvilla maintained his innocence. Narayanaswamy, Idukki District Collector, surveyed the land; much was government land, suggesting a violation of the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act 1988 and Kuruvilla had to resign.
Narayanaswamy has also proceeded against former minister P J Joseph and his family about alleged illegal landholdings.
Swamy was removed from his post as civil supplies commissioner in Thiruvananthapuram after he launched an investigation into corruption charges against civil supplies minister Anoop Jacob.
Appointed chairman of the Coconut Development Board in August 2018, he unearthed corruption involving the CDB's Bangalore regional director and technical officer. Both were investigated and suspended, based on Narayanaswamy's findings. He was transferred on 7 March 2019, after which he went to the Central Administrative Tribunal, where his case is pending.
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