THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Soon after the Kerala High Court pulled up police over erecting a stage on Vanchiyoor road for CPM area meet, the police have registered a case against 31 people. Palayam area secretary Vanchiyoor Babu are among the 31 accused included in the list. All the Palayam area committee members are among the newly added accused. Those who erected the stage have also been included in the list of accused. Although the court has sought details of the people who participated in the meet, the Vanchiyoor police have decided not to include them in the list of accused.

The court has directed Vanchiyoor SHO to appear in person tomorrow with the files and give an explanation. The court asked who gave the authority to the organizers to close the road. They should inform who all attended the meet, what programmes were held, how many vehicles were brought, how they got electricity, etc. The government should also file a detailed affidavit in this regard. The government should inform what action will be taken against those holding public meetings on roads.

A division bench comprising Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice S Murali Krishna also said that a contempt of court case was necessary. The contempt of court plea filed by Maradu native N Prakash making CPM state secretary M V Govindan, who was to inaugurate the meet and the state police chief as opposing parties, was considered.
The police had clarified that the CPM had not taken permission to erect a stage in the middle of the road except to hold a conference.