Kerala High Court Rejects PIL Against Former Finance Minister Thomas Isaac's Appointment As Advisor To Kerala Knowledge Economy Mission

The Kerala High Court today dismissed a PIL challenging appointment of former Finance Minister Dr Thomas Isaac as the advisor of Kerala Knowledge Economy Mission (KKEM).

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji while pronouncing the order said,

"The State government has engaged as someone who is an expert in the field as an advisor, who has agreed to work on a voluntary basis. The writ is unsupported by proper research. It is unfortunate that respondent no.5 (Isaac) was subject to such petition. Writ petition is dismissed."

The PIL was filed by one Navas A, challenging the order of the Ex-Officio Secretary, Department of Planning and Economic Affairs (Development & Innovation), appointing Isaac as an advisor to coordinate the activities of Vinjana Keralam, a part of the Kerala Knowledge Economy Mission (KKEM).

KKEM is an initiative of the Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (KDISC), which aims to provide employment to the educated.

As per the order, Isaac would render his service free of charge and the only monetary liability on the government would arise if he uses his own vehicle for travel, in which case he would be reimbursed a maximum of Rs. 70,000/- as fuel charges and driver charges.

Earlier, the Court had questioned Navas' credentials, asking the State Government to conduct an inquiry in that regard.

Navas claimed to be a RTI activist. In his plea, he contended that there is a Planning and Economic Affairs Department but no department with the name 'Planning and Economic Affairs (Development and Innovation)', which purportedly appointed Isaac.

He had further alleged that the notification was issued by an ex-officio Secretary of the above department which is impermissible under law, since only a Secretary could pass orders.

Later, the State submitted that the correct department was the Department of Planning and Economic Affairs. The Advocate General also submitted that the State may ratify the ex-officio Secretary's order.

The Court observed that the PIL raised no substantive issue of public interest. "There is not even a whisper in the petition that this project is not in public interest or the Respondent No. 5 is not suitable or qualified to be an advisor.", the bench stated. 

It highlighted that the Vijnana Keralam initiative is designed to create employment opportunities for educates youth in Kerala and is undeniably in the public interest. The Court further emphasised Dr. Isaac's credentials as an economist, legislator, and policymaker, noting that he had offered to serve voluntarily, with only travel expenses reimbursed. 

Criticising the manner in which the PIL was pursued, the Court remarked that it compelled Dr. Issac to defend his credentials. "The petition is unsupported by proper research, without reference to any statutory provisions, and has undertones of malice." the judgment said.

While dismissing the petition, the Court refrained from  imposing exemplary costs on the petitioner. 

Case Title: Navas A v State of Kerala

Case No: WP(C) 45335/ 2024

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 221

Counsel for Petitioner - Akhil Surendran

Counsel for Respondents - N Raghuraj (Sr.),  N Manoj Kumar, S M Rajeevan, Vivek Menon, Nandagopal S Kurup, Rance R

Amicus Curiae - Anjali Menon

Click Here To Read/ Download Judgment