Kerala - Kochi   

Petitions against Ministers dismissed

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Friday dismissed a quo warranto petition challenging the continuance of Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran and Food Minister C. Divakaran in connection with the release of 19 All India Youth Federation (AIYF) activists who were arrested on November 20. According to the petitioner, Pollachan Puthupara, the two Ministers had forced their way into the Fort police station in Thiruvananthapuram and got the accused released.

They were arrested in connection with the violence during the AIYF’s march in Thiruvananthapuram. A Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice H.L. Dathu and Justice K.M. Joseph, said that in the counter- affidavit filed by the police it was stated that the Ministers had come to the police station but did not direct them to release anyone. The Bench said the petitioner did not file a reply to the affidavit to resist the police claim. Hence, it could be safely said that though the Ministers went to the station, they did not pressure the police to release the accused.

The High court on Friday upheld the important provisions of the Travancore Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Amendment Act.

However, a Division Bench, comprising Justice J.B. Koshy and Justice A.K. Basheer, declared ‘illegal’ and ‘unconstitutional’ the provision which declares that the Devaswom board members should take oath before the Devaswom secretary and struck it off. — PTI

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