The Kerala High Court on Monday sought the view of the Centre and the state government on a petition seeking a directive to the Chief Secretary and the State Police Chief to grant effective police protection to the Chief Minister to ensure his free and safe movement across the state for discharging his constitutional duties.
The petitioner also sought a directive to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Law and Justice to issue guidelines based on the Model Code of Conduct framed by the Election Commission for political parties and candidates to ensure that parties do not impede the discharge of governmental duties by resorting to illegal obstruction of the Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues, public servants and destruction of public property.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice A M Shaffique issued the notice to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Law and Justice, the State Chief Secretary and State Police Chief.
The petition was filed by Roshini Mohan Vettath of Panampilly Nagar here and two others. The petitioners also sought a directive to the police to take steps against the illegal protests and obstruction being caused to the Chief Minister by the LDF. The petitioners pointed out that the Opposition parties, led by the LDF, had proclaimed that they will obstruct the movement of the CM.
“The Chief Minister was recently attacked in Kannur, in furtherance of the obstruction by the Opposition parties, resulting in his hospitalisation and cancellation of official programmes. He also had to cancel his visit to Idukki,” the petition stated.
The Chief Secretary and the DGP have failed in providing effective protection to the elected head of the state government, the petition added.