The Kerala High Court on Tuesday raised concerns over the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] holding an area conference in front of the Vanchiyoor court complex in Thiruvananthapuram, highlighting a breach of judicial directives that prohibit public meetings on roads.
Justices Anil K Narendran and Muralee Krishnan S questioned the legality of the conference, which reportedly took place on December 5, and sought clarification on the enforcement actions taken by local authorities. The court has specifically asked the police to report on the attendees and whether legal action was initiated for obstructing the road near the court complex and the adjacent police station.
In response, the Additional Advocate General, representing the state police, requested additional time to gather the necessary details. The court has ordered the Station House Officer of the Vanchiyoor Police Station to appear in person on December 12 to provide a detailed account of the incident.
The issue came to light following a petition by Ernakulam resident N Prakash, who accused the CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan and other officials of contempt of court. Prakash’s plea highlights that the party’s assembly was convened in direct violation of a 2010 High Court ruling that explicitly forbids public assemblies on public roadways and road margins. The ruling also mandates police to dismantle any setups that encroach upon these areas.
The petitioner argued that despite these clear instructions, CPI(M) went ahead and organized the Palayam area conference, erecting a stage that obstructed the thoroughfare, thereby flouting the established judicial order. The plea has urged that the implicated parties be held accountable under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
