Kerala HC disposes of petition seeking Vigilance inquiry into appointment of bodybuilders to police force

The Kerala High Court has disposed of a petition seeking a Vigilance inquiry into alleged irregularities in the appointment of two bodybuilders to the armed police forces.

A Single Bench of Justice A. Badharudeen noted that the State had denied the prior approval required to probe the matter under the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. The court directed the petitioner or any other aggrieved person to challenge the government order denying approval, as the petitioner had only sought a Vigilance inquiry.

The petition, filed by lawyer K.M. Shajahan, alleged that Shinu Chovva and Chitharesh Natesan, two acclaimed bodybuilders, were appointed based on their affiliation with the Left Democratic Front during the previous government’s term. Mr. Shajahan accused top officials and politicians in the State, including DGP S. Sreejith, the then Home Secretary, Biswanath Sinha, and the then Political Secretary to the Chief Minister, P. Sasi, of involvement in the alleged irregularities.

The court noted the petitioner’s contention that the government order appointing the bodybuilders contained elements of corruption and should be set aside.

The Director General of Prosecution, Asaf Ali, contended that the allegations raised in the petitioner’s complaint to the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau in this matter did not make out any offence of corruption. He argued that the appointments themselves had not been challenged by the petitioner. The court recorded the DGP’s contention that a mere violation of departmental rules or norms would not amount to an offence under the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act.

The court also noted that, after the current government came to power, it directed the State Police Chief to stop training both sportspersons in view of the several court proceedings and complaints concerning the matter. The court was also informed that the government was re-examining the Cabinet decision to appoint them.

Mr. Natesan had won the 11th International Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship, while Mr. Chovva was the first Indian to win a silver medal in the category at the World Men’s Physique Championships. They had filed representations with the government seeking appointment to suitable posts in accordance with their educational qualifications. They had been appointed as Armed Police Inspectors in the Armed Police Battalion by creating two supernumerary posts, stipulating that their posts would be regularised against subsequent vacancies.