Kerala Revenue official suspended over defamatory remarks against Ahmedabad air crash victim Renjitha

Kerala government suspends official for defamatory remarks against deceased nurse, sparking public outrage and disciplinary action.

The Kerala government on Friday (June 13, 2025) suspended a Revenue department official on the charge of making defamatory remarks against Renjitha G. Nair, the Malayali nurse who died in the Ahmedabad air crash on Thursday (June 12, 2025).

In a statement, Revenue Minister K. Rajan said that social media posts by A. Pavithran, a junior superintendent attached to the Vellarikundu taluk office in Kasaragod district, were “mean, spiteful, and cruel.”

He promised immediate disciplinary action.

Consequently, Kasaragod District Collector K. Inbasekar suspended Mr. Pavithran on Mr. Rajan’s orders, pending inquiry. 

Mr. Pavithran’s post about the single mother who died in the mishap while returning to her workplace in London after a brief holiday with her two young daughters and ailing mother caused an outpouring of public outrage, which resonated across the conventional and social media.

A preliminary government inquiry found Mr. Pavithran had slandered Renjitha on casteist lines and also demeaned the latter in prurient terms. 

Health Minister Veena George, who called on Renjitha’s mother and children in Pathanamthitta, expressed shock at the condemnable social media posts and promised immediate action. Mr. Pavithran later apologised and withdrew the controversial post.