THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The municipal health officer, who fined the CITU leader for dumping toilet waste on the road, was threatened by the standing committee chairman. The vehicle was released without paying the fine. Health officer Gopakumar is the one who had the unfortunate experience. The incident took place on the morning of August 27. The auto-rickshaw of the CITU leader, a native of Vallakkadavu, was caught while dumping garbage on the side of the Chakka Bypass. The vehicle was seized by the night squad appointed by the municipality to prevent illegal dumping.

The vehicle was handed over to the health officer later. The directive of the health department chairman came during the legal proceedings were being done. She said that the owner of the impounded car is poor with bed-ridden patients in the house and that the vehicle should be handed over and only a meagre fine should be levied. Unyielding, the health officer decided to take legal action.

High Court has ordered that vehicles that dump garbage in public places should not be released without court permission. Heavy fines should be levied against litterers, under the provisions of the Water Act, in addition to the Municipal Act. High Court order also said that there are provisions in the Municipal Act to levy a fine of up to Rs.10,000. Accordingly, the file was sent to the Collectorate for further action.

However, without sending the file to the High Court, it was sent back with a strange suggestion that the file should be disposed of in the presence of the Additional Magistrate of the local body. It is alleged that there has been political interference in this.

Last week, the standing committee chairperson summoned the health officer for an explanation and spoke abusively in front of the party leaders and other standing committee chairpersons. It is alleged that the health officer, who had taken the stand that the action would not be withdrawn, was told to resign and stay at home.