THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former High Court Chief Justice S Manikumar will be made the new Chairman of the State Human Rights Commission. The decision comes amidst opposition leader V D Satheeshan's disfavoring of the appointment.

V D Satheeshan opposed S Manikumar’s appointment in the search committee meeting held on Monday. However, Satheeshan’s disagreement failed to bring any change as the majority passed the decision to appoint S Manikumar. The search committee also consists of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and speaker A N Shamseer.

Earlier, a controversy erupted after the opposition questioned S Manikumar’s participation in the banquet organized by the government while he was sitting in the post of Chief Justice.

The appointment of the new chairman is in the wake of incumbent Justice Anthony Dominic’s retirement. The chairman's tenure is for three years or until he reaches the age of 71 years. Anthony Dominic retired on May 31.