The Kerala High Court has taken a firm stance against road blockages caused by public meetings and protests by initiating contempt proceedings against prominent political leaders from both the LDF and Congress parties. The division bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and Muralee Krishna S has summoned CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan, CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam, Ernakulam DCC president Mohammed Shiyas, and several senior police officers to appear before the court on February 10.
The proceedings were instigated by a petition accusing M V Govindan of flouting judicial directions during the CPI(M)’s area conference held on December 5, 2024, outside the Vanchiyoor court complex in Thiruvananthapuram. The event reportedly obstructed public roads and margins, leading to significant disruptions.
Expanding the scope beyond the initial complaint, the court has also included incidents involving the CPI and Congress that occurred in other parts of Kerala. The bench underscored that neither the ruling front nor the opposition has the right to obstruct public roads and footpaths, emphasizing that such actions infringe upon the public’s right of way.
Clarifying the nature of the CPI(M)’s event at Vanchiyoor, the bench noted that it was not a protest but resembled a regular event typically held in an auditorium. Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the justices remarked that these recurring incidents of road blockages during political events are serious and cannot be dismissed as trivial.
