Kerala - Kochi   

District Collector pulled up

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Monday expressed its displeasure over the conduct of the Pathanamthitta District Collector in a contempt of court case. Justice S. Siri Jagan expressed his displeasure while closing the case filed by proprietors of two hotels against the Collector for violating a High Court directive.

The court had earlier directed the Pathanamthitta District Collector to pass advance orders for closing liquor shops within two-kilometre radius of the venue of Maramon convention and Uthrattathi boat race. The court issued the directive as it found that the Collector passed such orders on the eve of these events to prevent law and order problems. The court observed that the closure order issued on the eve of the events prevented the aggrieved person from challenging the order before the court. It had an effect of “stultifying a right for legal remedies,” court observed.

In the affidavit, the District Collector said that he had the power to issue such an order under Section 54 of the Abkari Act. The order was passed on the petition of the organising committee of the Uthrattathi Boat Race. It was based on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Police. Though the court said that action could not be taken against the Collector in the present case, it expressed it displeasure over his conduct.

The court adjourned to next week the hearing on the main case relating to the takeover of the Trivandrum Golf Club. However, the review petition filed by the Revenue Principal Secretary in the case is likely to come up before the court on Tuesday.

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