Kochi, May 4 (IANS): A Kerala police official was on Monday caught cheating in an examination for Master of Laws (LL.M) and ordered to leave the exam hall. The official was later asked to go on leave by state Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.

The police official, identified as T.J. Jose, inspector general of police of Thrissur range, has denied the cheating charge.

On hearing about the incident, Chennithala asked the police official to go on immediate leave.

Confirming the cheating incident, V.J. Peter, vice principal of St. Paul's College at Kalamassery, said the incident would be intimated to the Mahatma Gandhi University which conducted the exam.

Jose told the media that he had done no wrong and left the examination hall at 11.30 a.m. on his own. The exam was due from 10.00 a.m. to 1 p.m.

"I have done nothing wrong and I will return for the last examination tomorrow (Tuesday)," he said.

The invigilator who caught Jose cheating was unaware of his identity, said an informed source.

Director General of Police K.N. Balasubramanian said action would be taken against Jose.

Additional Director General of Police Shankar Reddy has been asked to file a report on the incident.