A tense and unusual situation unfolded at the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) on Friday morning after the DHS Director K.J. Reena arrived at the office citing an interim stay order issued by the Kerala Administrative Tribunal (KAT) on her transfer. The tribunal had granted Dr. Reena a two-week interim stay on the transfer order and permitted her to continue as DHS. Following the order, she returned to the office, asserting her legal right to resume charge.

However, V.Meenakshy, the Additional DHS (Family Welfare), who had been given full additional charge of DHS by the government and was already occupying the DHS office, refused to relinquish charge. She pointed out that she could not hand over responsibilities without a formal directive from the government or the Health department .

As as result, both officials remained in the DHS office through the day, reportedly seated across the table, with police personnel deployed to prevent any untoward incidents. Dr. Reena left the office in the official vehicle at the end of the day.

Govt files appeal

On Friday, the government filed an appeal with the High Court against the stay on the transfer order of Dr. Reena, granted by KAT, pointing out that the government had not violated any norms by transferring the DHS.

Dr. Reena, who approached the KAT against the unceremonious manner in which she was removed as DHS, had won the interim stay on the transfer order by pointing out the violation of service rules and pleading that she was made to exit under a cloud of false charges.