Kerala High Court Initiates Suo Motu Contempt Proceedings Against CPI(M) Idukki Secretary For Continuing Office Construction Despite Orders

The Kerala High Court on Thursday initiated contempt of court proceedings against the Idukki District Secretary of CPI(M), C.V. Varghese, for proceeding with the construction of the political party's office at Santhanpara, in violation of the Court's order to halt the same. 

The Division Bench comprising Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Sophy Thomas further restrained the party office from being used until further orders. 

The Bench had, on Tuesday, issued a directive to immediately cease the construction of CPI(M) Offices in Udumbanchola taluk, Idukki if it was found to be violating the orders of revenue authorities. It had also mandated the District Police Chief to provide necessary assistance to the District Collector in order to halt the construction.

On Wednesday, the State informed the Court that the District Collector had not been able to take steps in the matter since the copy of the order was not received. Court directed that copy of the order be immediately forwarded to the District Collector. 

When the matter was taken up yesterday, the Court was told that the CPI(M) District Secretary for Idukki had been impleaded as an additional respondent as early as on August 5, 2023, and in spite of the same, the order issued by the Court had been violated. It was also informed that even after the issuance of the Order on August 22, 2023, the construction of the party office was completed overnight. 

The Court thus stated that when the Secretary had been 'put on board', he could not feign ignorance of the Order. The matter has been posted for further consideration after the Onam vacation. 

Case Title: One Earth One Life v. State of Kerala

Case Number: W.P. (C) 1801/ 2010