Kerala High Court Dismisses PIL Filed Against Bharat Jodo Yatra Alleging Traffic Snarls

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed the petition which alleged Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra was causing traffic snarls in the state.

The Division Bench consisting of Chief Justice S. Manikumar and Justice Shaji P. Chaly dismissed the petition as the petitioner failed to produce documents proving the allegations averred in the plea. The Court had previously instructed the petitioner to find out whether the police instructions that were given regarding traffic norms to be followed during the Bharat Jodo Yatra were being violated

The Bharat Jodo Yatra, led by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, which was flagged off from Kanyakumari on 7th September, is passing through Kerala and proceeding to the North along different districts. Rahul Gandhi is accompanied by other members of the Parliament, AICC leaders, Chief Minister of other States, KPCC office bearers, District office bearers and other members and sympathisers of the Congress party.

The petition filed by Advocate Vijayan K, sought for a direction to regulate the Yatra by permitting them to occupy half portion of the road and leaving the other half for the free movement of the vehicles and the public. It is averred by the petitioner that Rahul Gandhi and those accompanying him are occupying the entire breadth of the public road through which they are travelling, thereby causing traffic blocks and hardship to the general public. The Yatra is bringing the life of the common man to halt in the areas through which it passes.

When the matter was taken up today, the Government Pleader informed the Court that the journey is passing peacefully through the State and that the police have given instructions to the organizers on how to conduct the yatra peacefully.

Since the petitioner failed to produce documents proving the allegations averred in the petition, the Court dismissed it. 

Case Title: Adv. Vijayan K v. State of Kerala & Ors.