Kerala HC stays opening of martyr’s memorial on college campus

Kochi: High court on Friday stayed the inauguration of a martyr's memorial allegedly constructed without permission by SFI activists on the premises of the Govt Law College, Thiruvananthapuram.Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas passed the order on a petition filed by Akshay Krishnan, a law student from Vattiyoorkavu, Thiruvananthapuram, challenging the erection of the memorial on the campus. HC directed the district collector of Thiruvananthapuram, the college principal and the Museum Police station house officer to ensure that, under no circumstances, any inauguration, unveiling, dedication, or other ceremonial function of any nature is permitted or conducted in relation to any unauthorised construction or statue erected within the college premises, pending disposal of the petition.HC further directed that the collector, either personally or through subordinates, apart from the SHO, shall ensure strict compliance with the order. The petition was adjourned to Feb 6.According to the petitioner, SFI activists allegedly commenced the construction of a permanent structure described as a ‘Rakthasakshi Mandapam/Stoopam' within the campus without any permission, sanction, or approval from the govt, public administration, or college authorities. It was further alleged that, in blatant violation of a stop memo issued by the college principal on Jan 11 and despite police intervention, the activists, along with certain outsiders, continued the illegal construction during night hours. The petitioner also alleged that it was reliably learnt that a state political leader was scheduled to inaugurate the unauthorised structure on Saturday (Jan 17).