ASHA Workers Protest: Kerala High Court Issues Notice On Contempt Plea, Seeks Response Of Office Bearers

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (June 17) ordered notice to the office bearers and members of the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association in a contempt case filed against the ASHA workers (Accredited Social Health Activists) protest, which is allegedly conducted by blocking the road and footpath in front of the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram district from February 10, 2025.The Division Bench consisting of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S. passed an interim order as follows:“…in connection with an agitation conducted by the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association in front of a government sector, in which Respondents 9 to 13 are its office bearers/members. Along with this contempt case, the petitioner has placed on record Annexure A5 series of photographs as well as Annexures A11, A12 and A23 video clippings. Having considered the preliminary submissions made by the petitioner, who appeared in person, and also the Addl. Advocate General, we find that the petitioner has made out a prima facie case for issuing notice in Form No. 1 to Respondents 5 to 8, who are the official respondents and also to Respondents 9 to 13, who are the office bearers and members of the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association. Notice to Respondents 1 to 4 and also to Additional Respondents 14 to 39 are dispensed with for the time being. Notice shall be issued in Form No. 1. The personal presence of Respondents 5 to 8 shall be dispensed with for the time being.”The matter is posted after 3 weeks for appearance.BackgroundThe contempt case has been alleging that the members of the Kerala ASHA Health workers Association has violated the directions of the Court dated June 23, 2010 in WP(C) No. 19253 of 2010, where a Division Bench had directed the Government agencies including PWD, Police, Revenue and Local authorities against granting any permission to hold meetings on public roads and road margins.The contempt case has been filed against MLAs Ramesh Chennithala, M. Vincent, K. K. Rema and ex MLA Joseph M. Puthuserry for participating and speaking at the protest which is being conducted in gross violation of the order of the Court.The ASHA workers have been protesting due to the low honorarium they receive and are demanding an increase from 7,000 rupees to 21,000 rupees. Additionally, they are requesting retirement benefits and the clearance of pending honorarium payments.The contempt case has been filed alleging that the protest is conducted day and night by encroaching into the footpath and road infront of the Secretariat. It is alleged that chairs have been placed on the footpath and road near the Secretariat, which is obstructing traffic.The contempt petitioner states that police have a duty to remove stages and installations which are blocking public roads and road margins, contrary to the judgement of the High Court.Case Title: N. Prakash v. Ramesh Chennithala MLA & Ors.Case No: Con. Case (Civil) No. 481/2025 Click To Read/Download Order

ASHA Workers Protest: Kerala High Court Issues Notice On Contempt Plea, Seeks Response Of Office Bearers

K. Salma Jennath

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