Road blockade: HC directs CPI(M) leaders to appear before it in contempt of court case

The High Court of Kerala has directed four Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leaders from Kannur, the Station House Officer concerned, and the District Police Chief (Kannur) to appear before it on October 6 in connection with a contempt of court case related to a protest meeting held in Kannur on February 25, when a busy road was blocked, necessitating traffic diversion.

The leaders who ought to appear in person are M.V. Jayarajan, E.P. Jayarajan, P. Jayarajan, and K.V. Sumesh, MLA. The petitioner, N. Prakash of Ernakulam, appeared in person before the court in the contempt of court case.

The case pertains to the respondents and others occupying Kargil Yogasala four-lane highway in Kannur by setting up a pandal near the Head Post Office, while chairs were arranged in the middle of the road. Traffic through the busy road was subsequently diverted from the morning.

The petitioner submitted that despite the disruption of the busy route, the police and the other authorities concerned remained mute spectators and did not intervene.

A Division Bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Muralee Krishna S. said that the holding of agitations and demonstrations by political parties and other organisations often hindered free movement of pedestrians through footpaths and vehicular traffic through public roads. “This has gone to the extent of holding such agitations after laying carpet and placing chairs on the footpaths and public roads. Having considered the preliminary arguments of the petitioner who appeared in person and the learned Additional Advocate General, we are satisfied that the petitioner has made out a prima facie case for ordering notice to the respondents for contempt of court,” the court said.