Kochi: A division bench of Kerala High Court has dismissed a state government appeal against a single bench quashing its order removing the chairman of the state branch of the Indian Red Cross Society. The state had dissolved its executive committee and various district committees and appointed district collectors as administrators. The single bench had issued the order while allowing a writ petition filed by Sunil C. Kurian, former chairman and other office-bearers of the society. The division bench reaffirmed the findings of the single Judge.
During the hearing, the advocate general submitted that the state and its officers could not remain mute spectators to the grave allegations of corruption and nepotism against its office-bearers. The office bearers, however, argued that action of the government was politically motivated and it had no authority to meddle in its affairs under the Indian Red Cross Society Act. The state government submitted that it had ordered a quick verification into a complaint of financial irregularities against the chairman. The government later ordered a Crime Branch probe based on the recommendation of the vigilance.
