HC asks govt to furnish all retirement benefits to Ciza Thomas within two weeks

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has asked the government to furnish all retirement benefits to Dr Ciza Thomas, who was the interim vice-chancellor of the Kerala Technological University (KTU). It has been more than two years since she retired from service. However, the government has not yet furnished any retirement benefits.

Ciza had approached the high court questioning government's action. The division bench has now given its verdict on this. A bench including Justices A Muhammad Mustaq and Johnson John has passed the verdict. The verdict is that she should be furnished all retirement benefits within two weeks.

Earlier, former governor Arif Mohammad Khan had appointed Ciza Thomas as the interim VC of the KTU, bypassing government's list. The government says that the reason for withholding benefits, including pension, is that Ciza Thomas did not inform the parent institution and the department before assuming office. The high court has now issued a ruling against the government.