High Court against Kerala government; How do you do that?

Kochi: The high court on Monday slammed the government and political parties for removing roadside flagpoles. The High Court was critical of the convening of an all-party meeting to overturn the court order. If this is the approach to court orders, then it should not be called the new Kerala. Justice Devan Ramachandran also asked how a party could proceed if it felt it was in breach of court orders.

The court pointed out that Operation Breakthrough was carried out to avoid floods in Kochi city with the intervention of the court. Justice Devan Ramachandran claimed that not a single house in Kochi was flooded last year due to court intervention. Political parties want permission to hoist flags. However, Justice Devan Ramachandran said that the parties did not dare to say this directly in court.

The all-party meeting convened last day had decided to seek more time in the high court to implement the court order to remove the roadside flagpoles. The government was also expected to ask the court not to ban roadside flagpoles. An all-party meeting convened by the Chief Minister also agreed to change the flagpoles erected during party conventions within the stipulated time frame.

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The High Court had earlier ordered the removal of flagpoles erected on the roadsides, making it difficult for pedestrians. Based on this, the government had issued directions to the District Collectors and Deputy Directors of Local Government.

The High Court had strongly criticized the erection of flagpoles on the roadsides of Ernakulam city as part of the CPM state convention. Justice Devan Ramachandran said the CPM was openly violating the court order.

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The government should state its position in this regard. Whether only one party can do anything. The poor are fined if they do not wear helmets? The court also asked whether this is the legal system that Kerala is proud of.

The Advocate General, appearing for the government, told the court that the Kochi Corporation had given permission till the 5th to erect the flagpoles. The corporation secretary also said that permission has been granted. In that case, the court directed to produce the permit and the report of removal of the flagpoles after the fifth date. Following the court’s intervention, CPM activists removed all flagpoles erected for campaigning in the city after the state assembly concluded. In his concluding address, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had indirectly criticized the court.