Police can take action against usurers: HC

The Kerala High Court has held that the police can take action in cases involving illegal financial business in the State.

A Division Bench consisting of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and P.V. Asha passed the order on a petition filed by BRD Securities, Kundamkulam, Thrissur. The petitioner submitted that the police were harassing the firm, a Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC), by conducting raids on its various branch offices following the police action, Operation Kuberan, against illegal money lending.

The petitioner submitted that the question whether the Kerala Money Lending Act 1985 was applicable to NBFCs was pending adjudication before the Supreme Court.

The police action amounted to harassment and abuse of process of law and transgression of rights guaranteed by the Constitution, it said.

The Bench directed the State to file a a counter affidavit on the issue.

Bench rescues

A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court rescued itself from hearing the appeal filed by bar hotel owners challenging the Single Bench order which declined its petition for renewing the bar licence. The Division Bench consisting of Justice Antony Dominic and Justice Alexander Thomas also stated that the petitions would be posted before another Bench.

Appointment of judge

The High Court has issued notices to its registrar, State government and six designated District Judges in a petition challenging the select ion of the District Judges. It was on a petition filed by T.R. Sebastian, an applicant, seeking revaluation of the answer sheets of those who appeared for the examination that the court passed the order.