Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala High Court has directed the Kerala government’s home department to submit all official records related to the appointment of bodybuilders Shinu Chova and Chitharesh Natesan as police inspectors.
The court’s order came while hearing a petition that alleges corruption, political influence, and irregularities in the appointments. The matter has attracted attention because of claims that the appointments did not follow the normal recruitment process.
Kerala Police Appointment Controversy: What Did the Kerala High Court Order
The Kerala High court asked the principal secretary of the home department to produce the complete files related to the appointments in a sealed cover before the court.
The order was passed by Justice A. Badharudeen while hearing a petition filed by Advocate K.M. Shajahan. The court said it would examine the records before deciding the next steps.
Why Was the Petition Filed
The petitioner alleged that the appointments of Shinu Chova and Chitharesh Natesan as armed police inspectors were influenced by corruption and political pressure during the previous LDF government.
The petition also claimed that there has been no proper vigilance investigation into the allegations despite complaints against senior officials.
Concern Over Official Records
During the hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer expressed concern that official records could be altered or destroyed. To prevent this, the High Court directed the Home Department to submit the original appointment files in a sealed cover for verification.
Kerala Police Appointment Controversy: What Are the Main Allegations
According to the petition:
- The appointments were allegedly made without following the normal recruitment rules.
- The petition claims the recruitment should have been carried out through a special Public Service Commission (PSC) notification for sportspersons.
- It also alleges that both appointments received special treatment outside the regular selection process.
Background of the Kerala Police Appointment Controversy
The appointments had already become controversial earlier. In 2025, the Kerala administrative tribunal temporarily stayed the Kerala government’s decision after another challenge questioned whether the appointments affected the promotion rights of serving police officers.
The controversy also includes claims regarding physical fitness requirements and the eligibility criteria followed during the recruitment process.
What Happens Next?
The High Court has listed the case for July 3, 2026. By then, the State is expected to submit the complete appointment records, and the Public prosecutor will place further instructions before the court. The court will decide the future course of the case after examining the documents.
Read also: Who is Preeta Aravindan Krishnamma? Advocate Appointed as Kerala High Court Additional Judge
