Kerala Deputy Tahsildar Suspended, Arrested After Derogatory Post on Plane Crash Victim

Kudla News Exclusive | Breaking News
Kerala Revenue Officer Arrested After Offensive Post on Ahmedabad Crash Victim Sparks Outrage

📍 Kerala | June 13, 2025

In a disturbing twist following the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash, Kerala’s Revenue Department has suspended A Pavithran, Deputy Tahsildar of Vellarikundu taluk, after he posted derogatory comments on social media targeting Ranjitha G Nair, one of the victims of the accident. The incident has triggered widespread condemnation across Kerala, drawing sharp criticism from political leaders, women’s rights activists, and the healthcare community.

Who Was Ranjitha G Nair?

Ranjitha G Nair, a native of Pathanamthitta, Kerala, was working as a nurse in London. She had flown to Ahmedabad on a brief visit when tragedy struck. The plane crash, which is currently under investigation by aviation authorities, took multiple lives and left families devastated across India and abroad.

Ranjitha, celebrated by her peers for her dedication and compassion in the nursing profession, had recently been promoted and was visiting India to surprise her family. Her death has been mourned widely on social media, especially among the Malayali diaspora.

What Did Pavithran Say?

Pavithran, a senior state officer holding the position of Deputy Tahsildar, made a highly offensive Facebook post targeting Ranjitha’s caste and profession, implying caste-based innuendos and character judgments. The post was quickly deleted, but screenshots circulated widely, prompting public outrage and multiple formal complaints.

The backlash was swift. Women’s organizations, rights groups, and citizens demanded immediate action. Protests were staged outside the Vellarikundu Taluk Office, condemning not just the post but what they called a pattern of misogynistic and casteist behavior.

Immediate Suspension & Collector’s Action

District Collector K Imbashankar acted on directions from Revenue Minister K Rajan and issued a formal suspension order against Pavithran. A departmental inquiry has been initiated, and a full report has been requested within 72 hours.

“The government will not tolerate such behavior from public servants,” said Minister Rajan in a late-night press release. “An officer who insults a woman—especially one who died in tragic circumstances—does not deserve to be in public service.”

Past Controversies: A Repeat Offender

This is not Pavithran’s first brush with disciplinary action. In 2023, he was suspended for defamatory remarks made online against Kanhangad MLA E Chandrasekhar. Though reinstated after two months with a warning, he allegedly resumed his pattern of social media abuse, raising questions about the enforcement of accountability within the state bureaucracy.

A senior official from the Revenue Department, speaking anonymously, admitted, “This has been building up. There were internal complaints about his online behavior. This time, the public response forced immediate administrative and legal action.”

Police Action and Arrest

By Friday evening, June 13, the Vellarikundu Police took Pavithran into custody. The arrest came after formal complaints were filed by women's organizations and civil society groups.

“We are treating this matter with the seriousness it deserves,” said Vellarikundu Sub-Inspector Sudeesh Kumar. “He is being interrogated under applicable sections of the IT Act and IPC related to hate speech, defamation, and promoting enmity.”

Sources suggest additional charges related to caste-based discrimination and harassment may also be invoked, subject to legal review.

Voices of Condemnation

The Kerala State Women’s Commission issued a strong statement:

“No woman—living or deceased—should be subjected to such vile attacks. This is not only an insult to the victim and her family but to the entire healthcare community.”

Healthcare associations across India, particularly Malayali nurses’ unions in the UK and Gulf countries, have demanded a public apology from the government and reforms to monitor officials’ conduct online.

Political leaders from across the spectrum, including opposition MLA V T Balakrishnan, condemned the post, urging the government to explore psychological evaluations for reinstated officials who’ve previously exhibited erratic behavior.

Public Reaction and Media Coverage

Public sentiment has remained unified in calling for strict action. Hashtags like #JusticeForRanjitha, #SuspendPavithran, and #CleanTheSystem trended on X (formerly Twitter) throughout the day.

Editorials in major dailies have questioned whether Kerala’s bureaucracy is doing enough to ensure that government officers uphold dignity, neutrality, and responsibility, especially on public platforms.

Conclusion: A Moment for Reflection

As the families of victims of the Ahmedabad tragedy grieve, Pavithran’s behavior has deepened their wounds. The public expects not just temporary suspensions but lasting systemic changes to ensure accountability and preserve human dignity, especially from those in power.

Whether this arrest leads to long-term reform or becomes another footnote in the state’s bureaucracy remains to be seen.