HC confirms Padmakumar’s posting as MD of KAL

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The high court, on Tuesday, confirmed the posting of K Padmakumar as managing director of Kerala Automobiles Ltd (KAL).
Earlier, the high court on December 7, 2017 had directed the state to reinstate Padmakumar within 20 days as public sector RIAB (restructuring and internal audit board) secretary. The court had held that prolonged suspension for over 15 months amounts to punishment.
Following the judgment revoking his suspension, the state government issued an order on December 28, 2017 posting him as managing director (MD) of KAL.
In response, Padmakumar approached the court stating that the order for reinstatement in the parent organisation implies appointment as secretary of RIAB.
Disposing the petition, the high court said that that there was nothing wrong in posting him as MD of KAL.
Padmakumar was placed under suspension from service from September 5, 2016. He was suspended after four FIRs were registered in July 2016 against Malabar Cements Ltd (MCL) when he was holding additional charge as the firm’s MD.
He was arrested during the tenure of then vigilance and anti-corruption bureau director Jacob Thomas. No chargesheet has been filed in the cases till date. All other suspects are continuing in service at MCL in senior positions.
FIRs were filed against officials based on anonymous complaints without a detailed investigation, said industry officials.