Kerala High Court Seeks State's Stand In Plea Challenging Appointment Of Ex-CM VS Achuthanandan's Son As IHRD Director

A plea has been filed before the Kerala High Court challenging the appointment of Dr. V.A. Arun Kumar as the Director In-Charge of the Institute of Human Resources Development. Dr. Arun Kumar is the son of the late former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthananthan.

This is the second such plea challenging his appointment. The petition is filed by Dr. Vinu Thomas, Dean (Academic) and Controller Of Examinations (In Charge), APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University.

Last year, a Single Bench of the Court had directed registration of a suo motu case to look into whether Dr. Arun Kumar got into the position due to his political connections.

This order was challenged in appeal by Dr. Arun and was stayed by the Division Bench. The petitioner in the present case had also filed a counter-affidavit before the Division Bench alleging that Dr. Arun is disqualified to hold the post.

Similar grounds and arguments are raised in the present plea, stating that Dr. Arun's appointment as Assistant Director of IHRD in 1997 was achieved due to political clout and he did not possess the requisite 2 years' work experience as a Software Consultant.

The plea also states that 15 marks awarded to Dr. Arun, including the 5 marks for teaching experience and the 10 marks for research experience, putting him at the top of the ranklist for the selection, have to be cancelled.

Among other reliefs, it is prayed that the order appointing Dr. Arun as Additional Director (In-charge) be set aside and that a direction may be issued to the State to fill up the post of the IHRD Director based on the ranklist after the afore marks awarded to Dr. Arun are cancelled.

When the matter came up for consideration on Tuesday, Justice N. Nagaresh gave time to the respondents to file a statement and posted the case on February 18.

The petition is moved by Advocates Babu Joseph Kuruvathazha, Archana K.S., Noel Ealias.

Case No: WP(C) 36822/2025

Case Title: Dr. Vinu Thomas v. State of Kerala and Ors.