Blocking of road at Vanchiyoor: HC seeks response of State Police Chief

HC directs CI to to submit a report identifying the persons who participated in the meeting

A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Thursday sought a response from the State Police Chief on the incident in which a road at Vanchiyoor in Thiruvananthapuram was blocked by erecting a stage for holding a local committee meeting of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)].

The Bench comprising Anil K. Narendran and Muralee Krishna S. also directed the Circle Inspector (CI) of police, who was present in the court, to submit a report by December 16 identifying the persons who participated in the meeting and those who were on the stage.

The court, which viewed the video clippings of the incident obtained from news channels, said that large number of schoolchildren travelling in scooter along with their parents and those in buses got stuck in the traffic block. The zebra crossing was also obstructed due to the erection of the stage, causing great difficulty to the pedestrians. 

The court orally observed that neither the ruling party nor the Opposition in the State can be permitted to hold public meetings by blocking the right of way of the people on the roads and footpaths. As the government holds the road as a trustee of the people, the incident was “a clear case of breach of trust.” This is not something that can be taken lightly. The police should be in a position to discharge their duties. There can be no special criteria for the ruling front or the Opposition.

The court passed the order when a petition seeking to initiate contempt of court proceedings against the CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan for allegedly violating the court order banning the holding of meetings on footpaths and roads came up for hearing.

In a statement, the CI submitted that 40 accused, including Palayalm area committee secretary of the CPI(M), were identified and they were issued notice under Section 35(3) of the BNSS. All efforts were being taken to identify the other accused persons involved in the case. The investigation is still going on.

The court also noted that a dharna was held outside the State Secretariat on the very next day of the incident by putting up carpets and chairs on the footpath by an organisation affiliated with a political party.

Published - December 12, 2024 08:36 pm IST