The Kerala High Court, on Tuesday, criticized the State’s Chief Secretary, V Venu, for his non-appearance in two contempt of court cases via online proceedings. Justice Devan Ramachandran expressed the court’s strong disapproval of the authorities’ failure to attend the court, even after the Chief Secretary had clarified that he was engaged in prior commitments, which included the organization of ‘Keraleeyam’ – a weeklong celebration aimed at showcasing the State’s achievements and cultural heritage to the world. The court conveyed its empathy for the petitioner and others in similar situations, but noted that the respondents seemed to prioritize their ‘other engagements’ over the difficulties faced by these individuals.
The Chief Secretary had submitted an affidavit to the court, in which he explained that he had pre-scheduled commitments for the upcoming week, and he held the role of General Convenor for the ongoing ‘Keraleeyam,’ which entailed multiple responsibilities. However, the court strongly criticized the authority for not sparing a few minutes for the online appearance, considering that this was the court’s sole request. Consequently, the court directed the Chief Secretary to attend the next online session, regardless of any pre-scheduled commitments. The court emphasized that it couldn’t remain indifferent to the suffering of ordinary individuals struggling for their daily sustenance due to a lack of resources. The two cases are scheduled for further consideration on November 8, 2023.
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