Keep criminal elements out, Kerala court tells political parties

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday orally observed that political party leaders should ensure that criminal elements were weeded out from their parties. Justice K. Ramakrishnan made the observation when a bail petition filed by six Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] workers involved in an attack on Congress party workers in Alathur on the Election Day came up for hearing.

The court was of the opinion that it would help reduce political violence.

The court while granting bail to the CPI(M) activists said that the apprehension of the prosecutor that considering the political situation in the State, if they were released on bail, they would create law-and-order problem on counting day could not be ruled out. However, the court said that considering the period they had spent in jail, they could be granted bail. They had been in jail since April 11.

The court ordered that they be released on bail on their executing a bond for Rs.50,000 with two solvent sureties each for the amount. The court asked the petitioners to appear before the investigation officer on Saturdays till a final report was filed.

Plea dismissed

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition filed by V.P. Indiradevi, a judge of the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Manjeri, challenging the High Court Registrar’s action suspending her from service.

She was suspended by the Registrar (Subordinate Judiciary) on charges of allegedly meeting an accused in a forgery case at the Chalakudi forest guest house on March 15.

Dismissing her contentions, Justice C.K. Abdul Rehim observed that the Supreme Court had already held that in the matter of compulsory retirement of a judicial officer, the Governor could not act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, but on the recommendations of the High Court. Thus, it was evident that the control contemplated under Article 235 vested in the High Court include the power to initiate disciplinary action against errant district judges. The power also includes the ones to suspend the district judge. It would not run counter to the Kerala Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules.

The suspension was ordered pending finalisation of the disciplinary action. It was open to the petitioner to seek review of the suspension if it continued beyond reasonable period.