The State Human Rights Commission has issued a sharp rebuke to officials within the Education department, criticizing their prolonged failure to release the pension of a headmaster who retired back in March 2021.
Commission judicial member K. Baijunath explicitly stated that such inaction “should be counted as negligence on the part of the authorities and a violation of the human rights of the complainant.” His remarks were made in response to a grievance filed by Ahamed Kutty V.P., who had served as headmaster of Cherulal High School, Kurumbathoor, before his retirement in 2021.
Investigations by the Commission revealed that the Malappuram District Education Officer and other officials reporting to the Deputy Director of Education had unjustifiably withheld Mr. Kutty’s pension, even though the Accountant General had officially sanctioned it on January 20, 2021.
Consequently, Mr. Baijunath mandated the Director of General Education to ensure the immediate release of Mr. Kutty’s full pension and all associated benefits, including his gratuity. The Commission has requested a comprehensive update on the actions taken within one month.