Thiruvananthapuram/Kochi: High drama unfolded at the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) in the state capital on Friday as two senior health officials locked horns over the directorate’s top post, prompting police intervention.
The confrontation arose after former DHS Dr K J Reena arrived at the office armed with a Kerala Administrative Tribunal (KAT) order favouring her reinstatement. However, the incumbent DHS, Dr Meenakshi V, refused to vacate the chair, maintaining that she would not relinquish charge without a specific order or direction from the government. Her refusal led to a heated exchange between the two officers.
As tensions escalated, Meenakshi sought police protection. Efforts by the police officers who reached the spot to bring about a resolution proved futile.
The dispute stems from the government’s controversial decision to remove Reena from the DHS post without prior notice while she was on a two-day leave. The move had triggered widespread criticism, and a subsequent KAT order in her favour intensified the controversy.
Health minister K Muraleedharan’s remarks following the KAT order further underscored the government’s stance. The minister said that no one who acts against the government would continue to occupy the post as long as he remained in office.
Meanwhile, the state government approached the high court challenging the KAT order staying the transfer of Reena from the post of DHS director to the Regional Public Health Laboratory, Ernakulam.
The state contended that Reena had been appointed as DHS on deputation and that her tenure expired in February 2026. Despite the expiry of her tenure, she continued in the post thereafter without any further extension. The state further submitted that the post of director of Regional Public Health Laboratory, Ernakulam, had been upgraded to accommodate Reena. The High Court is likely to consider the plea next week.
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