THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has stated that Dr VA Arunkumar, son of former Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan, lacks the necessary qualifications to serve as Director of IHRD. AICTE's Standing Council stated this in its reply submitted to the High Court on the petition filed by Dr Vinu Thomas questioning Arunkumar's appointment.

On June 3, 2023, the government had issued an order granting Arunkumar the additional charge of IHRD Director. Subsequently, the qualifications mentioned in the Special Rules were amended to give him full charge. The petition demands that the orders appointing V.A. Arunkumar as IHRD Director be cancelled and that he be removed from the position. Additionally, it requests that a qualified academician be given charge of the role until a full-time director is appointed. The High Court is set to reconsider the petition on the 23rd.