Kerala High Court reprimands police in trade union protest case

Kochi (IANS). The Kerala High Court on Monday pulled up Kottayam’s top police officers for not properly implementing the security order passed in favor of a bus owner amid protests by the Center of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) for salary hike.

The bus owner, who was attacked by trade union activists, claimed that the salary was not revised after the last increment was five years ago, after agreeing to the hike. Against which the protest was started.

CITU had put up protest flags in front of Mohan’s buses, following which they sought protection from the court to resume operations. But when they tried to resume services despite the security order, CITU workers attacked them. The police kept watching as mute spectators.

The incident came to the notice of the media, following which the court initiated contempt proceedings taking suo moto cognizance of the matter.

On Monday, the court said, “Mohan was assaulted by CITU activists while six police officers were watching. “The slap was not on the petitioner’s cheek, that slap was on the High Court.”

The District Police Chief, Kottayam, and the Station House Officer (SHO) personally appeared before the court and explained the matter.

The court has now directed the SHO and the Deputy Superintendent of Police to file their affidavits regarding the investigation into the incident. The matter will be heard on July 18.