Published Jul 10, 2026 | 12:12 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 10, 2026 | 12:12 AM
Kerala HC
One of the first administrative decisions of the UDF government in Kerala was to overhaul the state’s legal team in the high court.
The government terminated 38 Senior Government Pleaders and Government Pleaders appointed during the LDF regime and constituted a fresh panel to represent the state in the high court.
Among those relieved were Adv. Vidya Kuriakose, sister of former Health Minister Veena George and Adv. Sony KB, wife of former LDF MLA PV Sreenijan.
At the same time, the UDF government inducted several advocates considered close to the Congress-led front or who have been active in representing the party and its leaders. The prominent appointments include Adv Laliza TY, Adv Gikku Jacob, Adv R Unnikrishnan, Adv Abdul Shukoor MA, Adv. Manoj P Kunjachan, Adv Zubair Pulikool and Adv A. Sreekala as Senior Government Pleaders.
Among the new Government Pleaders are Adv Joemon Antony, Adv Thushara V, Adv Prakash C Vadakkan, Adv Sreehari Indukaladharan, Adv Rajasree R Nair, Adv Sachin Ramesh, Adv Bharath Vijay, Adv Chithra P George and Adv VR Ramlal. The government also appointed Adv PK Sajeevan, Adv PK Santhamma and Adv KB Pradeep as Special Government Pleaders.
While the order does not attribute political reasons to any individual removal or appointment, the composition of the new panel reflects the reality that the office of the government pleader is both a professional position and a position of trust.
Every change of government is usually followed by a change in the lawyers who become the state’s voice before the high court.
Meanwhile, the government has shown remarkable speed in acting against its own.
Thiruvananthapuram District Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor Dr T Geenakumari was removed with immediate effect after the prosecution’s handling of a case about an alleged assault on Enforcement Directorate officials came under scrutiny.
The incident occurred in front of the residence of the Opposition leader and former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The move followed her submission before the court that custodial interrogation of an accused was unnecessary — a position that reportedly contradicted the investigating officer’s findings and helped secure bail.
Additional Government Pleader AR Shaji has been given temporary charge, while Advocate A Santhosh Kumar will serve as Special Prosecutor in the case.
Appointed in October 2023, Geenakumari was expected to serve until October 2026.
