Kerala High Court Extends Term Of Judicial Members Of State Administrative Tribunal By Another Three Weeks

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday extended the term of the present Judicial Members of the Kerala Administrative Tribunal (KAT) by another three weeks, during which time the Court expects the newly appointed Chairman of the Tribunal to make fresh appointments. 

A Division Bench of Justice A Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Kauser Edappagath extended the interim order in pleas filed by the KAT Ernakulam Advocates' Association and the KAT Thiruvanathapuram Advocates Association. 

The KAT Association had moved the High Court seeking expeditious conclusion of the proceedings for the appointment of a Chairman to the Tribunal and steps be taken to fill the anticipated vacancies of the Judicial Members. Senior Advocate Ranjith Thampan appeared on behalf of the petitioners.

In one of the previous hearings in July, the Court had extended the term of the judicial members by way of an interim order owing to the delay in appointing a Chairman to the Tribunal, to avoid the functioning of the Tribunal coming to a standstill.

However, earlier this week, the President had appointed Justice CK Abdul Rahim, a retired judge of the High Court as the Chairman in the KAT. Following this development, the Court extended the term of the judicial members in the Tribunal, who were otherwise due to retire this year. 

Case Title: Kerala Administrative Tribunal v. Union of India

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