HC summons Kerala Minister in contempt case

Kochi, Feb 8 (UNI) In a significant development, the Kerala High Court today directed State Local Administration Minister Paloli Mohammedkutty to appear in person before it on February 15 in connection with a contempt of court case for his reported remark against the judiciary.

A Division Bench of the court, comprising Acting Chief Justice K S Radhakrishnan and Mr Justice M N Krishnan issued notice by special messenger to the Minister and four newspapers in a contempt of court petition instituted suo moto by the court on High Court Registrar's report. The case is posted for February 15.

When the case came up before the court for preliminary hearing today, Advocate General C P Sudhakara Prasad submitted reports appearing in various newspapers on February 6 and 7 and stated the Minister's stand had already been explained by him in the reports.

The court observed that going by the newspaper reports dated January 31 made available by the Registry, a prima facie case had been made out.

The contempt proceedings were initiated for his reported remark against the judiciary at a meeting on January 30 of the Calicut University Employees Union's programme in Thenjipplam, Kozhikkode.

UNI