Senkumar Kochi: In a fresh setback to the Kerala government, the High Court has ruled that the Center can proceed with action on a list that recommends the appointment of former Kerala police chief T.P. Senkumar as member of the Kerala Administrative Tribunal (KAT). The court said the state government's objections do not pose a hurdle.
The court suggested that the Center send to the chief justice of India the list, which was prepared by a selection panel that included the High Court chief justice. Comments of the state governor and state and central governments could be attached with it.
The court disagreed with the view of the Center that the state did not provide a proper recommendation of appointment. Expressing a disagreement does not nullify the list. The state government had submitted that it had disagreement about Senkumar and that IAS personnel were better suited for the job than IPS officers. However, the court pointed out that the post cannot be reserved for IAS personnel as the law does not allow it. It also said it was not within the powers of the state government to draw up a new list.
The case had been settled after the state conveyed that a recommendation will be submitted to the governor in two weeks and that it will be send to the Center in another week thereafter. That was in response to a petition filed by Satish Vasant, seeking action for the appointment of the tribunal members.
Government submitted pleas later to consider the delays that occurred in the appointment of Senkumar and V. Somasundaram.
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