Kerala High Court Questions Audacity Of Association Of Govt Servants In Allegedly Installing Illegal Hoarding In Face Of Judicial Orders

The Kerala High Court was irked today at the audacity of the Kerala Secretariat Employees Association (KSEA) in allegedly installing an illegal hoarding in front of the State Secretariat, despite prohibitory orders passed by it."This Court is unable to understand how, even after repeated orders and action that have been issued and completed, anybody has the temerity to put up any board/flag, much less that of the size now reported. To add to this, it is alleged to have been put up by an Association, with its office bearers being civil servants," Justice Devan Ramachandran said.The bench has directed the State Police Chief to constitute a team to investigate and identify those responsible for the breach of its orders. It has also ordered the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation to give details of expenses incurred and the strain taken for disposal of the huge board.The Court ordered thus, “I direct the State Police Chief to constitute a competent team of officers to ensure that an investigation into the complaint of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation on the installation of the board is conducted and completed swiftly, to verify who is responsible. The investigation shall reveal the names and identities of the persons who are responsible; as also that of the printer/advertisement agency responsible for putting it up.”The observation was made while hearing a 2018 plea concerning unauthorized boards/ banners in public places. The Court had earlier ordered that fine of Rs. 5,000 will be collected for every unauthorised board installed. The Court was considering a report dated January 15 submitted by the Amicus Curiae regarding the installation of a "huge" board in front of the Secretariat, apparently under the aegis of KESA. As per the Association's website, its President is an officer of the rank of Additional Secretary to Government, while the Secretary is of the rank of a Joint Secretary.The board was removed immediately by the Corporation when the media started reporting it.The Court noted that if the illegal board had been installed by an Association of employees of the Government, then those in error must certainly be proceeded disciplinarily, apart from penal provisions. It added, “...the printer/advertisement agency will also have to be made accountable; and for all this, a proper investigation at the highest level becomes imperative, particularly when the learned Amicus Curiae reports that the office bearers of the Association - who have allegedly put up the board - are of the rank as high as mentioned above.”As such, the matter has been posted to January 22. Case Title: St. Stephen's Malankara Catholic Church v State of Kerala and OthersCase No: WP(C) 22750/ 2018Click here to Read/Download The Order

Kerala High Court Questions Audacity Of Association Of Govt Servants In Allegedly Installing Illegal Hoarding In Face Of Judicial Orders

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