The Inspector General of Police, Crime Branch North Zone in Kerala, EJ Jayaraj, who was found drunk inside his official vehicle at Kottarakkara in Kollam on October 25, has been placed under suspension.

The government has also ordered a department level enquiry in the issue.

State Police Chief Loknath Behera had given report to Home Secretary Subrato Biswas recommending stern action against the officer who he said was "destroying the image of the police in front of the public," Matrhubhumi daily reports.

The Home Secretary had handed over the file to the Chief Minister recommending that the office be suspended from service. The suspension is based on the finding that there is  violation of service rules.

Jajaraj was caught by Anchal police when he was driving recklessly in his official vehicle at Kottarakara on October 25. The officer reportedly was in a drunken state and he was not even able to come out of the vehicle. His driver Santhosh was also drunk. Medical examination also proved that both of them were drunk.

Santhosh, who is a driver of police AR camp, had been place under suspension last week.

South Zone IG Manoj Abraham who had probed the case had also recommended taking disciplinary action for misusing official vehicle and for drinking during duty hours.

Chief Secretary KM Abraham, who issued the suspension order, says that the IG’s action is an official misconduct and a violation of all India Services (conduct) rules, 1968.

The Chief Secretary’s order says that he is being placed under suspension pending disciplinary action against him, on the basis of provisions under all India services (discipline and appeal) rules 1969, reports Times of India. Jayaraj is a 1994 batch IPS officer.