Kerala police appointment: Bodybuilder turned sub-inspector fails medical examination

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: One of the two bodybuilders who were appointed as sub-inspectors in the police failed the medicals. Shinu Chovva, who won the silver medal in the World Male Beauty Contest, and Chitharesh Natesan, who won the Mr Universe title, were appointed to the police. Chitharesh Natesan failed the medical examination. The report said that Chitharesh cannot be taken into the force because of flat feet. An appeal can be filed against this. He will have to appear for the medical examination again.

Shinu Chovva had earlier failed the physical fitness test. Chitharesh Natesh did not participate in the physical fitness test. The battalion ADGP had opposed re-examining the physical fitness test for those who failed. However, both were appointed on the ADGP's recommendation at the police headquarters. The decision was to provide one year of training to both at the police academy in Thrissur. The ADGP at the police headquarters recommended that bodybuilders need not compete in a running competition and that they could be appointed under special circumstances. The cabinet meeting had earlier decided to relax the current rules and appoint both of them.

The male bodybuilding competition is not an event in the Olympics or the National Games. This errant move by the government comes at a time when athletes who have won medals at international and national levels are waiting for appointments. Bodybuilding has not yet been considered for sports quota appointments. This is the first time that the winners of bodybuilding competitions were directly appointed to the police.