An Inspector General of Kerala Police was found allegedly trying to copy during an LLM examination on Monday, which is the Masters of Law paper. Following the incident he has been asked by Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala to proceed on compulsory leave immediately.

Inspector General, Thrissur range, T J Jose, who was caught allegedly while copying, however, rejected the charge. He said he had written the examination and would appear for Tuesday’s paper as well.

“The incident is an insult to Kerala and Kerala police. The IGP has been asked to go on compulsory leave immediately”, Chennithala told reporters in Kozhikode. Additional DGP (North) Shankar Reddy will investigate the incident and file a report as early as possible, he said.

The invigilator concerned was apparently not aware that the person in question was an IPS officer. Jose was allegedly trying to copy answers from the papers in his possession during MG University LLM examination held at St Paul’s College, Kalamasseri.

Taking a serious note of the incident, the Mahatma Gandhi University has sought a report from the Kalamasseri St. Paul’s College Principal. The Vice Chancellor Babu Sebastian confirmed that there was malpractice. The report will be submitted by Monday night or Tuesday which will determine whether Jose should be allowed to give the other papers.

Jose will be debarred, if he is found guilty, university sources said.

(With inputs from PTI)