Lawyer Moves Kerala High Court Against Bharat Jodo Yatra Led By Congress MP Rahul Gandhi

A Petition has been filed before the Kerala High Court against the Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, seeking direction to regulate the Yatra for causing traffic problems. 

The petition filed by Advocate Vijayan K, sought for a direction to regulate the Yatra by permitting them to occupy half portion of the road and leaving the other half for the free movement of the vehicles and the public.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra, led by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, which was flagged off from Kanyakumari on 7th September, is passing through Kerala, proceeding to the North along different districts. Rahul Gandhi is accompanied by other members of the Parliament, AICC leaders, Chief Minister of other States, KPCC office bearers, District office bearers and other members and sympathisers of the Congress party. 

It is averred by the petitioner that Rahul Gandhi and those accompanying him are occupying the entire breadth of the public road through which they are travelling, thereby causing traffic blocks and hardship to the general public. The Yatra is bringing the life of the common man to halt in the areas through which it passes. 

It is further submitted in the petition that Section 4 of the Kerala Public Ways (Restriction of Assemblies and Procession)Act 2011 which deals with the prohibition of obstruction on public ways, and as per sub-section (1) of Section 4, "no person shall cause any obstruction by conducting any business or meeting or assembly or procession or demonstration on any public way or part therefor and sub-section 3 says that no demonstration or procession shall be conducted in such a manner that the entire carriageway or free flow of traffic is fully obstructed. 

The Petitioner averred that the Yathra is clearly violative of sub-section 1 and 3 of Section 4 of the Kerala Public Ways (Restriction of Assemblies and Procession) Act 2011.

The Petitioner also sought for an order directing the State and Police Force (respondents 2-13) to take necessary steps to realize the entire expenses incurred in every district for the deployment of police forces to cover the Bharat Jodo Yathra. 

Case Title: Adv. Vijayan K v. State of Kerala & Ors.