Kerala High Court Flays Chief Secretary For Failure To Appear Online In Contempt Case, Says 'Other Engagements' Prioritised Over People's Plight

The Chief Secretary of the State V. Venu, drew the flak of the Kerala High Court on Monday for his failure to appear before the Court online in two contempt of court cases. 

Justice Devan Ramachandran expressed the Court's strong criticism on the authority's failure to appear before it. 

"Any person would have empathy for the condition of the petitioner and similarly situated persons; but the respondents appear to have prioritized their 'other engagements', more than the plight of these hapless people," the Court observed, ruing the situation. 

The Court was dealing with two contempt of court petitions - one pertaining to the acquisition of land at Ambalamugal, and the other seeking timely payment of pension to retired KSRTC employees. 

The Chief Secretary had filed an affidavit before the Court, wherein it was stated that he had pre-scheduled engagements throughout the following week, and that he was also the General Convenor of the ongoing 'Keraleeyam' - the weeklong celebration showcasing the achievements, and cultural heritage of the State to the world. He added that he thus had multifarious tasks in this regard. 

The Court thus expressed its staunch criticism for the authority in this regard. 

"I must record that since this Court had only asked the Officer to appear online, one cannot understand why he could not spare even five or ten minutes to do so. I leave it there for the time being," it said. 

The Court thus directed the Chief Secretary to appear online before it on the next posting date, whatever be the pre-scheduled engagements he may have. 

"This Court cannot remain silent or mute, since it cannot be obvious to the pathos of ordinary men and women suffering without resources for their daily sustenance," the Court added in this regard. 

The two matters have been posted for further consideration on November 8, 2023. 

Case Title: K. Asokakumar v. Biju Prabhakar and connected matter and Sajeev Kumar V.N. v. V.P. Joy

Case Numbers: Contempt Case(C)Nos.2149 of 2023 & 2368 of 2023 AND Contempt Case(C)No.1024 of 2023

Click Here To Read/Download The Order in Contempt Case (C) Nos. 2149/2023 and 2368/2023

Click Here To Read/Download The Order in Contempt Case (C) No. 1024/2023