A day after the Kerala High Court on Tuesday set aside a two weeks’ interim stay awarded last week by the Principal Bench of the Kerala Administrative Tribunal (KAT) on K.J. Reena’s transfer from the post of the Director of Health Services (DHS), she took charge as the Director of the Ernakulam Regional Public Health Laboratory. Ms. Reena reportedly vowed to continue her legal battle over her transfer.

The stay had been awarded after Dr. Reena approached the KAT, challenging a government order (GO) that transferred her earlier this month from the post of the DHS. Following this, the State government filed an appeal before the High Court, challenging the interim stay by the KAT.

In its plea, the government contended that the GO was in keeping with norms, especially since the tenure of Dr. Reena’s deputation as the DHS had expired in February, 2026. Moreover, she was transferred and posted at the Regional Public Health Laboratory in Ernakulam as Director—a post that was upgraded to accommodate her. In addition, a new person had been appointed as the DHS, the government submitted.

Ms. Reena's transfer had become a huge controversy with the Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) questioning the government over carrying out transfers in key posts when the State is facing serious disease outbreaks.