Traffic obstruction case: Former CPI(M) MLA, CITU leaders sentenced to stand till court adjourns

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The court sentenced Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and former MLA P.P. Chitharanjan and two Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) leaders to stand until the rising of the court and pay a fine of Rs 1,600 each for obstructing traffic during a protest march.

Judicial First Class Magistrate Tania Maryam Jose awarded the sentence to Chitharanjan and CITU leaders P.M. Wahida and N.K. Ramachandran. Following the judicial order, the three leaders remained standing in the courtroom from morning until evening and were permitted to leave after paying the mandated fine.

The case pertains to an incident on January 17, 2025, when the leaders led a demonstration organised under the aegis of the Kerala Co-operative Employees Union, an affiliate of the CITU. The protest march, which proceeded from the Palayam Martyrs' Column to the Secretariat, had caused severe traffic blockades along the busy stretch of the road.

The agitation was organised by the union to press for various demands, primarily focusing on ensuring protection for cooperative hospital employees and implementing a comprehensive revision of their salaries.