'Roads are not meant for erecting stages'; political leaders appear in High Court

KOCHI: Several prominent political leaders appeared before the High Court in connection with cases of road obstruction caused by erecting stages and encroaching on footpaths. Expressing dissatisfaction with the police’s apology and affidavit, the court emphasized that roads are not designated for setting up stages. The court will consider the case again on March 3rd. The bench, comprising Justices Anil K. Narendran and S. Muralikrishna, clarified that the leaders would not be required to appear in person on that date.

The contempt of court case was filed for violating previous High Court directives that prohibited blocking roads and footpaths for public gatherings or protests. The case cited specific instances, including the CPM’s area conference in Vanchiyoor, Thiruvananthapuram, which obstructed the road, the CPI Joint Council’s flex board installation in front of the Secretariat, and the Congress protest outside the Corporation Office—all of which allegedly disrupted pedestrian movement and traffic flow.

CPM State Secretary M.V. Govindan, who was scheduled to appear before the court today, was granted permission to do so on February 12 instead. Among those who appeared in court were former Speaker and CPM leader M. Vijayakumar, MLAs Kadakampally Surendran, V. Joy, V.K. Prasanth, CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam, senior leader Pannian Raveendran, Ernakulam DCC President Mohammed Shiyas, and MLA T.J. Vinod.