Inspector General of Police (IGP) E.J. Jayaraj was on Tuesday suspended for tarnishing the image of the Kerala Police by being in a drunken state.

 Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, based on a recommendation for disciplinary action from state Police chief Loknath Behra, ordered the suspension.

Jayaraj was serving as IGP, Crimes, North Zone at the Crime Branch.

Jayaraj, along with his driver, had visited the house of one Sunil at Kottarakara in his official vehicle and returned in an inebriated condition, the suspension order, issued by Chief Secretary K.M. Abraham, said.

The driver, also under the influence of liquor, was unable to drive and the local people reportedly interfered in the matter. Jayaraj was also quite drunk and was not in control of himself and became a spectacle in public, the suspension order says.

"Hence, the state police chief requested for appropriate disciplinary action against Jayaraj for his misconduct in misbehaving in a drunken stupor in public.

"After the government examined this in detail and based on the report it was found to be an official misconduct and violation of the All India Services Rules and therefore it was decided to place Jayaraj under suspension, pending disciplinary action against him," according to the order.

Jayaraj had faced flak in the past also for misbehaving in a train.