Kerala - Kochi   

Government's view sought on giving compensation to under-trial prisoners

Staff Reporter

HIGH COURTROUND-UP

Kochi: A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court directed the State Government on Friday to file an affidavit on its view on giving compensation to under-trial prisoners who had been in jail for the maximum period of imprisonment that could be awarded for offences with which they were charged.

The Bench, comprising Chief Justice V.K. Bali and Justice M. Ramachandran, gave the directive when a case relating to the release of such prisoners came up.

The court asked the Government what steps it had taken to prevent under-trial prisoners from being detained for a long time.

In a statement, the Government said a video-conferencing facility had been set up in the Thiruvananthapuram district court.

In fact, Section 167(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code had to be amended to use the facility. The Union Government had been approached for consent to carry out the amendment.

The facility would be established in other district courts by March 31.

Appointment

The Bench adjourned to January 11 hearing on a writ petition seeking a directive to the State Government and Chancellor, Kerala Agricultural University, to appoint an eminent educationist or scientist as Vice-Chancellor of the university.

Sale of land

A writ petition was filed seeking a directive to the State Government to take possession of 83.61 hectares of leased land in Thenmala village sold by Harrison Malayalam to a person for constructing a resort.

The petitioner Najeeb sought a directive to the high-level committee constituted to conduct an inquiry and survey of the land.

According to the petitioner, though the previous United Democratic Front Government had constituted the committee, no steps had been taken for investigations.

LPG tax

A writ was filed against the "inaction" of the Government in reduce the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in accordance with the value-added tax (VAT) rates applicable from July1, 2006.

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