Kerala High Court Seeks State's Response On Stop Memo Against Temporary Bridge For Maha Magha Festival At Thirunavaya

A petition has been filed before the Kerala High Court challenging the stop memo issued by the revenue authorities halting the construction of a temporary bridge on the Bharathapuzha river for the 'Maha Magha' festival, scheduled to be held from January 18 to February 03 at Thirunavaya.Justice C Jayachandran has sought response from the State authorities an listed the matter for hearing tomorrow.The stop memo was issued by the Village Officer, stating that the construction of temporary bridges were in violation to Kerala Riverbank Protection Act, 2001.The petitioner, who is the convenor of the Maha Magha Manotsava Samithy, has claimed that the alleged irregularity in construction stood effectively condoned vide subsequent developments like— (i) a communication issued by the District Collector on January 15, which, according to the petitioner, took note of the bridge construction and prescribed safety conditions, including certification by a competent government agency and restrictions on the number of persons permitted to use the bridge; (ii) order dated January 17, 2026, issued by the Revenue Divisional Officer, under which nine officials were appointed as Executive Magistrates under Section 17(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) for maintaining law and order during the event.Petitioner further argued that the Village Officer lacked the authority to issue the stop memo, either under the Kerala Protection of River Banks and Regulation of Removal of Sand Act or in light of the later administrative orders.The Government Pleader sought time to obtain instructions on the submissions advanced by the petitioner.The Court thus granted time and posted the matter for tomorrow.Case Title: M K Vinayakumar v District Collector and OrsCase No: WP(C) 2173/ 2026Counsel for Petitioner: Amith Krishnan H, Anna Mary Mathew, Manavi Muraleedharan, Kavya K PClick Here To Read/ Download Interim Order

Kerala High Court Seeks State's Response On Stop Memo Against Temporary Bridge For Maha Magha Festival At Thirunavaya

Anamika MJ

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