Plea filed in Kerala HC against Lakshadweep ‘no vehicle day’ order

Kochi: A petition has been filed in high court challenging the recent order of the Lakshadweep administration declaring Wednesdays as ‘no vehicle day' across the Union Territory.Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas on Friday adjourned the plea filed by C P Ajmal Khan, a lawyer from Kalpeni Island practising in Lakshadweep and Ernakulam, to Feb 23 for rectification of the defects in the petition noted by the high court registry. According to the petitioner, the order issued by the district collector on Feb 17, prohibiting the plying of motor vehicles on all islands every Wednesday, will come into force from Feb 25. Under the order, only vehicles used by persons with disabilities and those deployed for security and emergency medical purposes are exempted, and violations would attract a fine of Rs 500.The Lakshadweep administration has stated that the measure aims to promote public health by encouraging walking and cycling and to reduce vehicular emissions on the islands. However, the petitioner contended that the state cannot compel citizens to adopt a particular mode of transportation, such as walking or cycling, purportedly to promote health, by prohibiting the plying of motor vehicles. Such coercive interference amounts to an unjustified intrusion into the personal liberty and freedom of movement of citizens and is violative of the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 19(1)(d), 19(1)(g), and 21 of the Constitution, Khan alleged.Meanwhile, Lakshadweep MP M Hamdullah Sayeed said in a video message that the order was against the interests of the people of the islands.He said the decision to impose fines on people using vehicles on Wednesdays was undemocratic, unnecessary and illegal. He added that he has submitted a representation to the Lakshadweep collector on the issue.