No service medal for tainted official, says HC

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the state government not to confer the Chief Minister’s Fire Service Medal to Kottayam Fire Station Officer Syed Muhammad.A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice P R Ramachandra Menon passed the order while considering a petition filed by T R Vasudevan of Ernakulam challenging the government’s decision. The petitioner submitted that any person who has been awarded a punishment or an increment was not eligible for the medal.The officer was suspended on March 25,1981, as part of a disciplinary action, the petitioner said.