Kerala High Court questions hiring of bodybuilders who failed physical fitness tests

The Kerala High Court has orally questioned the basis on which two bodybuilders were appointed as sub-inspectors in the State’s armed police force, despite failing the physical test.

The court was acting on a petition seeking Vigilance inquiry into the appointment of bodybuilding champion Chitharesh Natesan and Shinu Chowwa, who had won the silver medal in the South Asia World Bodybuilding Championship, in the armed police force by creating two supernumerary posts.

Justice A. Badharudeen was considering a statement by Director General of Prosecution T. Asaf Ali on behalf of the Home Secretary, asserting that the bodybuilders — Chitharesh Natesan and Shinu Chowwa — had been called for a physical examination, during which the former did not show up and the latter had failed. Later, they underwent the mandatory medical examination and police verification, during which Mr. Natesan was found medically unfit.