KOCHI: Expressing displeasure at the state government for not implementing the directive to complete revenue-recovery action against Popular Front of India (PFI) for the damage caused during its illegal hartal, the Kerala High Court on Monday ordered the home secretary to appear before it in person.
A division bench comprising justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Mohammed Nias CP was considering a contempt of court case (CON-C 1766/22) initiated suo motu by the court over non-implementation of the court’s directive to complete the revenue recovery action against PFI and its leaders to realize the loss of Rs5.20 crores that was caused to public and private properties during the illegal harthal on September 23rd.
Through the order, the court ordered the additional chief secretary of the home department to appear before it in person on Friday (December 23rd).
Pointing out that the one-month time limit fixed by the court for completing the revenue-recovery action has not been complied with, the court said in the order, “We make it clear that under no circumstances will the time granted for compliance with the earlier directions be extended beyond 31.01.2023.” Nothing substantial has been done by the state government towards complying with the court’s directions, the bench said.
On November 8th, the government had informed the court that proper directions have been issued to the revenue department for initiating revenue-recovery proceedings. On November 1st, the government had issued an order appointing a claims commissioner, following a court directive.
However, the additional chief secretary filed an affidavit before the court on Monday stating that the court’s directive to complete the recovery action within one month cannot be complied with and that more time is needed.
The court said the government’s attitude, as discernible from the affidavit, is wholly unacceptable. The government cannot adopt such a callous attitude while implementing the court’s directive, especially in matters of public interest and involving destruction of public property, the order stated while directing the additional chief secretary to appear in court with an affidavit stating the time frame within which the recovery action can be completed.
