Kerala HC tightens grip on flash hartals

The Kerala High Court, which recently passed orders banning flash shutdown in the state, tightened its grip on those defying the directive.

The high court on Friday said that Youth Congress president Dean Kuriakose and other leaders should be made accountable for all cases registered in connection with the impromptu hartal on February 18 in connection with the murder of its two workers in Kasaragod district.

Congress state leaders might be arraigned in all 189 cases registered across Kerala in connection with the hartal-related minor violence.

The Kerala Police also informed the high court that public property worth over Rs 2 lakh was damaged in the hartal, for which also the YC leader should be made accountable.

The court also flayed the Youth Congress leader for blatant violation of its January 7 order banning flash hartal call. Further time was given to Youth Congress leaders to submit their statements.

The HC had suo motu registered a case after the Youth Congress violated its order.

Karma Samathi in soup

The high court also said that the Sabarimala Karma Samathi would be made accountable for hartal calls made in connection with the row over the entry of women into the Sabarimala temple. Karnataka High Court former judge Justice N Kumar and Kerala former state police chief T P Senkumar are among the prominent persons who led the Karma Samathi.

Last month the Kerala High Court banned flash hartal calls and has directed that at least seven-day notice should be given before observing hartal.