Kerala High Court Pushes For Urgent Clearance Of Court Infrastructure Works Amid Model Code Of Conduct

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (April 7) directed the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to expedite the process for granting permission to undertake the urgent infrastructural works required in the High Court and other courts in view of the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in the State due to the upcoming Assembly elections.The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. directed the CEO to immediately forward to the Screening Committee the Registrar's letter dated 21.03.2026 requesting grant of exemptions from the MCC to permit the Public Works Department (PWD) to do the necessary civil, electrical and electronic works in courts scheduled during summer vacation.The CEO had replied to the letter on April 2 informing that the proposal require prior clearance from the Election Commission of India (ECI) and directed that it should be routed through the Screening Committee constituted by the State government.The Registrar General submitted that the request relates to infrastructural and internal works inside the Court premises and the activity does not have any bearing upon the electoral process. An interim direction was sought for against the CEO to grant provisional clearance to proceed with the work without insisting on clearance from screening committee so that delay would not disrupt court proceedings.Noting that the reply was belated and that the court vacation would commence from April 11, the Bench directed that the entire process for clearance be completed by April 10 (Friday):“There cannot be any doubt that the communication dated 21 March 2026 was not immediately attended to by the Chief Electoral Officer and that the communication was received belatedly and perilously close to the summer vacation. The works are urgent and essential. Unless the works commence immediately, it would completely disrupt the functioning of the Court… We direct the Chief Electoral Officer to immediately forward and place the letter of the Registrar General before the Screening Committee and the entire process… are to be completed urgently and placed before this Court on 10.04.2026.”The Court directed the State and the Chief Electoral Officer to submit a report before it. The PWD was asked to coordinate with the Election Commission by furnishing requisite information for a decision in this regard since the matter was urgent.The case is posted for consideration on April 10.Case No: WP(C) 14202/2026Case Title: High Court of Kerala v. The Election Commission of India and Ors.Counsel for the petitioner: Leo LukoseCounsel for the respondents: Vinitha B. – Sr. Government Pleader, M. AjayClick to Read/Download Interim Order

Kerala High Court Pushes For Urgent Clearance Of Court Infrastructure Works Amid Model Code Of Conduct

K. Salma Jennath

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