Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan (File Photo) 
National

'MLA not a govt servant', Kerala HC cancels appointment of late leader's son

In a stinging blow to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who had given a government job to the son of late CPI-M MLA K.K. Ramachandran Nair, the Kerala High Court on Friday ruled that a 'legislator is not a government servant' and cancelled the appointment.

migrator

Nair, a first time legislator after being elected from the Chenganoor Assembly constituency in the 2016 Assembly polls, passed away in 2018 following health issues.

Vijayan, in a surprise decision, decided to appoint Nair's son R.Prasanth as an assistant engineer in the Public Works Department, which led to a huge criticism from several quarters.

However, a petitioner from Palakkad, Ashok Kumar filed a plea in this regard at the High Court and on Friday a division bench chaired by the Chief Justice S. Manikumar ruled that an 'MLA is not a government servant as they have an elected term of only five years, and hence a government job under the dying in harness mode is not applicable and cancelled the appointment.

Incidentally, this judgement comes at a time when a petition is before the Lokayukta after Vijayan sanctioned a substantial sum of money from the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund to clear off the debts of Nair.

Visit news.dtnext.in to explore our interactive epaper!

Download the DT Next app for more exciting features!

Click here for iOS

Click here for Android

UPSC 2nd rank holder: No fancy coaching, just perseverance; Madurai girl Rajeshwari’s success formula

Strike rate or seat count, BJP in a bind

Tamil Nadu candidates among top 10 achievers in civil service examination

Parandur greenfield airport declared ‘Special Project’

Ravi was star campaigner for DMK: Wilson