HC directs Home Secretary to consider plea seeking Vigilance probe into bodybuilders’ appointment - The HinduPublished - July 03, 2026 09:51 pm IST - KOCHIThe Kerala High Court on Friday (July 3) directed the Home Secretary to consider the plea seeking a Vigilance probe into the appointment of bodybuilders Chitharesh Natesan and Shinu Chovva as Sub-Inspectors of police.Justice A. Badharudeen was considering a plea filed by an advocate seeking a direction to the State government to initiate a Vigilance enquiry into the alleged corruption by “top officials and politicians” in the State, including the Home Secretary and State Police Chief, in the appointment of Mr. Chovva and Mr. Natesan into the force.The petition alleged that their appointments were made because of their links with the Left Democratic Front (LDF), the political front in power at the time. The petitioner had previously made a complaint to the Chief Secretary, seeking a Vigilance probe into the matter.The Superintendent of Police, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, informed the court that the complaint had been forwarded to the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) for the sanction required for an open enquiry. The court noted that the complaint has been pending for more than two months and directed the Secretary to take appropriate action and report to the court by July 17.Chitharesh Natesan and Shinu Chovva were appointed as Sub-Inspectors in the armed police battalion of the State police in January 2025. The petition said that Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala had issued a stay on the previous government’s order appointing the bodybuilders.Published - July 03, 2026 09:51 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }