Malik Feroze Khan assumes charge as SEC

Khan took charge by 11 am, official sources said. He had earlier served as the Commissioner of the Prohibition and Excise Department in 2014. 

He succeeds P Seetharaman, who retired from service last month and the post was left vacant, resulting in the delay in conduct of the civic polls. Khan had earlier served as the Thoothukudi District Collector and has lots of experience in local administration. 

Khan would have his hands full considering that he would have to face the court at one end and a state that does not seem keen on conducting the civic polls any time soon. 

With the vacancy being filled, Opposition parties hope that they would have stronger points to present in the HC when it takes up a related case for hearing on April 18.