Kerala High Court Issues Bailable Warrant Against Additional Chief Secretary Of Health For Not Complying With Its Directive

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (January 8) issued bailable warrant against Dr. Rajan N. Khobragade IAS, Additional Chief Secretary in the State's Health and Family Welfare Department for non-compliance of its 2023 order and non-appearance despite the direction of the Court. The Division Bench of Justice A. Muhammed Mustaque and Justice C. Jayachandran passed the above order while dealing with a Civil Contempt case.After the contempt case was filed, the Court on 2nd February 2024 directed the Principal Secretary to the Health and Family Welfare Department to either comply with the 2023 order or appear before the Court. Further, order was made on 10th December, where the Court added the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department as a party to the case and directed him to appear before the Court if the 2023 judgment is not complied within 2 weeks.The Court on Wednesday noted that neither the order was complied with nor there was appearance of the Additional Chief Secretary. The State requested 2 weeks time to report on the compliance. Rejecting this request, Court issued the warrant.The Court had in its 2023 order directed to consider the promotion of Dr. B. Unnikrishnan, who was then working as Assistant Director of Health Services, to the post of Deputy Director of Health Services. Dr. Unnikrishnan, who claimed to have a locomotor disability of 40%, had argued against not having any lateral reservation for disabled candidates in the position of Deputy Director of Health Services. The Court had directed the State and the Director of Health Services to convene a DPC and consider the issue of Dr. Unnikrishnan's promotion to the post by lateral reservation. However, after 5 months, Unnikrishnan filed a contempt case for non-compliance of the order. The Case will be next heard on 20th January.Case Title: Dr. B. Unnikrishnan v Sri. Mohammed Hanish IAS and AnotherCase No: Con. Case (C) 2718 of 2023

Kerala High Court Issues Bailable Warrant Against Additional Chief Secretary Of Health For Not Complying With Its Directive

Manju Elsa Isac

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