JUDGMENT

P.B.Suresh Kumar, J.

This appeal is directed against the judgment dated

02.07.2021 in W.P.(C) No.1474 of 2021. The appellant was the petitioner in the writ petition. Parties are referred to in this judgment for convenience as they appear in the writ petition.

2. The petitioner is a Lab Assistant in the service of the Kerala Agricultural University (the University). On 12.02.2019, while the petitioner was working at the Rice Research Station of the University at Vytilla in Ernakulam District, he felt certain physical distress and was consequently taken to the General Hospital, Ernakulam. While he was undergoing treatment in the General Hospital, it is stated that the petitioner had shown indications of mental disorder and he was accordingly taken to the Government Mental Health Centre, Thrissur, under orders of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ernakulam. After the treatment, the petitioner reported for duty on 07.03.2019 with an application for earned leave for the period from 13.02.2019 to 06.03.2019. The petitioner was however not permitted to rejoin duty on 07.03.2019 on the ground that he needs to obtain a fitness certificate from the Medical Board. He was accordingly referr