Road Blockage: Kerala High Court Issues Notice Of Appearance To CPI(M) And Congress Members, State Officials

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (9th January) issued notice of appearance to various CPI(M) leaders, Congress activists and State officials for allegedly committing contempt of its directions by blocking public roads to conduct events.A Division Bench comprising Justices Anil K. Narendran and Muralee Krishna S. found prima facie case against the Respondents and issued notice.The contempt case was initially instituted in the aftermath of CPI(M)'s Palayam area conference, held in front of Vanchiyoor Court Complex and Vanchiyoor Police Station. Reportedly, traffic was restricted to one half of the road due to the program.Justice Anil K. Narendran today orally observed that there have been repeated violations of a Division Bench's 2010 directions precluding Government agencies from granting permissions to hold meetings on public roads and road margins.Court was informed that on December 10-11, 2024, Joint Council of State Service Organisation in connection with '36 hours satyagraha' erected a stage in the footpath in front of Government Secretariat at Trivandrum. The event was inaugurated by CPI National Council Secretary Binoy Viswam. MLA Pannian Raveendran spoke at the event.The Court also took note of a protest organised by the Indian National Congress against the Kochi Corporation Mayor on the footpath in front of the Corporation on December 11, 2024.In another incident, Balaramapuram Panchayat conducted a program by taking over half of the Balaramapuram-Vizhinjam Road. Reportedly, Trivandrum District Police Chief (Rural) Kiran Narayanan IPS inaugurated the program.Notices have been issued to the following persons:M. V. Govindan Master, CPI(M) State Secretary;Shaik Darvesh Saheb IPS, State Police Chief;G. Sparjan Kumar IPS, Inspector General of Police, Intelligence Wing;Girilal D, Station House Officer Vanchiyoor;Binoy Viswam, CPI National Council Secretary;Pannian Ravindran, Former CPI MLA;Jayachandran Kallingal; General Secretary Joint Council of State Service Organisations, Kerala;Putta Vimaladitya IPS, Kochi City Commissioner;Mohammed Shiyas, Congress DCC Ernakulam President;Sarada Muraleedharan IAS, Chief Secretary;M. Vijayakumar, Former CPI(M) MLA;V. K. Prasanth, CPI(M) MLA;V. Joy, CPI(M) MLA;Kadakampally Surendran, CPI(M) MLA;T. J. Vinod, INC MLA;Dominic Presentation, Former INC MLA;Anish Joy, police officer; andKiran Narayanan IPS, Trivandrum District Police Chief (Rural)During the hearing, Government counsel sought exemption of personal appearance of certain police officers. However, the Court only exempted the State Police Chief and State Chief Secretary. Other persons named have been directed to appear before the Court on 10th February at 2 pm.Case Title: N Prakash v M V Govindan MasterCase Number: Con Case (C) No. 3252/2024

Road Blockage: Kerala High Court Issues Notice Of Appearance To CPI(M) And Congress Members, State Officials

Manju Elsa Isac

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