HC contempt notice to Chief Secy, IGP, Collector & 4 others

The Kerala High Court today issued a contempt notice to the Chief Secretary, the I G Police of Thirunvananthapuram range, the Pathanamthitta District Collector, the Superintendent of Police and three other police officials in connection with the Chengara bridge case.
A division bench, comprising Justices Thothathil B Radhakrishnan and B Harilal, expressed dissatisfaction over the affidavit filed by the government in the case. It directed the officials to file an affidavit before May 30 citing reasons for not initiating contempt proceedings against them.
If the affidavit was not filed before May 30, officials should appear in person before the Court on June 2, it said.

The bench gave the orders while considering a contempt petition by plantation company Harrisons Malayalam Ltd, complaining that the HC direction to government to ensure that a bridge cannot be constructed from Chengara encroached land had not been complied with.
Considering the case yesterday, the court had criticised the government for not complying with its orders and said its attitude towards the orders shows a breakdown of machinery.
The bench had said the government's attitude towards court orders shows the 'breakdown' of machinery and is a clear case of 'administrative misconduct'.
Earlier, the High Court had directed eviction of encroachers from Chengara.

HML contended that despite the HC direction in February 2015, a bridge was constructed at the instance of encroachers.