Kerala MVD reinstates two officials suspended over action against modified vehicle

Thiruvananthapuram,August 10

The Kerala Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) on Monday revoked the suspension of two Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspectors who had faced disciplinary action after penalising a vehicle for unauthorised modifications, following strong protests from sections of department officials.

Transport Commissioner Nagaraju Chakilam issued an order on August 10 reinstating Laiju B and Shameer M, who were serving under the Adoor Sub Regional Transport Office (SRTO). The two officials had been suspended on August 6 over their action against a modified vehicle in Pathanamthitta.

As part of their reinstatement, Laiju has been transferred to the Kazhakootam SRTO, while Shameer has been posted to the Mavelikkara SRTO. However, the departmental inquiry initiated against them will continue, according to the order.

The controversy began after the officials booked the vehicle for alleged unauthorised modifications. The suspension order had stated that the vehicle had been used for flood-relief activities and that action against it had brought disrepute to the State government. The officials were also criticised for allegedly failing to exercise sufficient discretion while dealing with the case.

The decision triggered opposition from employees and their association, which defended the inspectors and questioned the justification for suspending them for carrying out enforcement duties.

The association maintained that the vehicle owner was a repeat offender who had previously been penalised in 2024 and again in 2026 for similar violations. It argued that the inspectors had acted in accordance with departmental instructions and directions issued by the Kerala High Court regarding illegally modified vehicles.

The controversy intensified after Transport Minister C P John publicly backed the disciplinary action against the two inspectors.

The decision to reinstate them, while continuing the departmental proceedings, is seen as an attempt to address the growing discontent within the MVD without immediately closing the disciplinary case.