Kerala High Court Closes Plea Seeking Clearance For Court Infrastructure Work After EC Approval
The Kerala High Court on Friday (10 April) disposed of a writ petition filed by its own Registry after recording that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had approved a proposal permitting maintenance work during the subsistence of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. noted that the ECI had conveyed its approval for Maintenance through a communication dated April 8, 2026, addressed to the Chief Electoral Officer(CEO), Kerala.
The petition had been filed by the High Court of Kerala, represented by its Registrar General, seeking clarity on whether such works could be undertaken while the MCC was in force in the State due to the Assembly elections.
The Court had earlier directed the CEO to expedite the process for granting permission to undertake the urgent infrastructural works required in the High Court and other Courts while the MCC was in force.
Pursuant to this, the communication dated April 8 was issued granting approval for maintenance. The Court thus held that there was no impediment for the State's Public Works Department (PWD) to proceed with the necessary maintenance works.
The Court also formally took on record the ECI's April 8 communication and expressed appreciation for the assistance rendered by counsel appearing for the Election Commission.
Case Title: High Court of Kerala v. The Election Commission of India and Ors.
Case No: WP(C) 14202/2026
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 195
Counsel for the petitioner: Leo Lukose
Counsel for the respondents: Vinitha B. – Sr. Government Pleader, M. Ajay