Kerala HC summons state chief secretary on July 30

Kochi, July 27 (UNI) The Kerala high court today directed State Chief Secretary Lizzy Jacob to appear before the court on July 30 to answer the contempt petition filed against her by the Guruvayoor Drainage Action Council.

A division bench consisting of Chief Justice H L Dattu and Justice K T Sankaran directed to the chief secretary to present in person before the court at 1015 hrs. on July 30 to answer the charges in the contempt petition filed by Mr K G Sukumaran, the General Convenor of the Action Council.

The contempt petition was filed for non-implementation of the sewage treatment plan at Guruvayoor.

The action council had in 1997 filed a writ petition asking for a sewage plant in Guruvayoor. The high court allowed that writ in 2004 with a direction to the authorities to set up the sewage plant at Guruvayoor.

However, there was no action by the authorities to set up the plant and a contempt petition was filed in the court. In an affidavit filed by the chief secretary in response to the contempt petition, it was stated that the work would be completed within one year. The affidavit was filed in 2005. But so far no action had been taken to complete the plant. Hence the council again filed the contempt of court petition.

UNI