THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Governor will seek legal advice on the government's recommendation to appoint former Kerala High Court Chief Justice Manikumar as the Chairman of the State Human Rights Commission.

The recommendation file for Manikumar, along with the dissenting letter from Opposition Leader V D Satheesan, was brought to the Raj Bhavan the other day. The recommendation was made by a committee consisting of the Chief Minister, the Speaker, and the Opposition Leader. The Governor is not bound to accept the recommendation as it is not a cabinet decision.

The Governor is unhappy that the government started considering Justice Manikumar for the post when he was serving as the Chief Justice. He was not happy with the Chief Minister giving Justice Manikumar a send-off at a private hotel in Kovalam just before his retirement. The Governor will seek legal advice as to whether the recommendation can be rejected for these reasons. Complaints of opposition leader VD Satheesan, former opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, and the Save University Campaign Committee against the appointment of Justice Manikumar are under the consideration of the Governor. He will seek an explanation from the government in these.