Thrikkakara Municipality Rep. By Its Secretary vs P.V.Baby

Sunil Thomas, J

The petitioners who are the Municipality and the Chairperson of the Municipality had approached this Court by filing the present Writ Petition on an allegation that, under the guise of protest, respondents 4 & 5 along with several other persons were obstructing the functioning of the Municipality. Specific allegations were raised against them, having entered the Municipal building and ransacked the office.

An interim order was passed by this Court on 09.07.2021, which is produced as Annexure A1. The operative portion of the order read as follows:

'It seems that the protesters had even entered the compound, blocked the entrance and had gone even up to the office rooms. Having considered this, I am inclined to direct that sufficient police force shall be deployed to ensure that the entry to the Municipal Office by the elected members, the staff and other persons who visit the office for official purposes alone are permitted to enter and others are not permitted to enter. The police shall also ensure that sufficient police is deployed to ensure that COVID protocol is not violated, that peace prevails inside and outside the municipal building'

The petitioners have now approached with Contempt of Court case, alleging that on 29.07.2021, the Police who were posted outside the building and within the compound were unilaterally withdrawn. Thereafter, there were a series of incidents. The precise allegation is that by knowingly and willfully withdrawing the Police force, on 29.07.2021 the respondents violated the order of this Court by permitting to perpetuate the obstructions.

I have carefully examined the affidavit filed by the petitioners in the light of Annexures A4 and A5 complaints given to the Assistant Commissioner of Police and the Station House Officer respectively. However, the above complaints which were given under the direction of this Court, disclose several acts of the Councilors of the Municipality. The order of this Court dated 09.07.2021 was against the actions by outsiders. Even though several allegations are raised in the above complaints, I feel that there is no precise allegation that any incident happened after 29.07.2021 from the respondent herein as suggested. The order passed by this Court also does not cover any of the agitation or any other acts done by the Municipal members. This Court also did not direct that Police shall be available throughout but, the obligation of the Police officers to ensure that peace prevails inside and outside the Municipal building by proper and swift action cannot be against the actions of the respondents herein or their instigation continues.

The learned Government Pleader submitted that pursuant to Annexures A4 and A5 complaint, necessary action has been taken and crime registered against 14 persons. Having considered the entire facts and the submission made by learned Government Pleader, I am inclined to close the Contempt of Court Case. It is also directed that the Police shall continue to ensure that the direction contained in Annexure A1 is complied with, in future.

The Contempt of Court Case is closed accordingly.