Calicut University union election: Kerala HC orders police protection on campus till declaration of results
Kochi: As Calicut University prepares for the union election scheduled for July 22, the Kerala High Court ordered police protection on Friday to ensure the peaceful conduct of the polls. The court issued the order while allowing a writ petition filed by Shifana PK, a chairperson candidate in the
Kochi: As Calicut University prepares for the union election scheduled for July 22, the Kerala High Court ordered police protection on Friday to ensure the peaceful conduct of the polls. The court issued the order while allowing a writ petition filed by Shifana PK, a chairperson candidate in the
Kochi: As Calicut University prepares for the union election scheduled for July 22, the Kerala High Court ordered police protection on Friday to ensure the peaceful conduct of the polls. The court issued the order while allowing a writ petition filed by Shifana PK, a chairperson candidate in the
Kochi: As Calicut University prepares for the union election scheduled for July 22, the Kerala High Court ordered police protection on Friday to ensure the peaceful conduct of the polls. The court issued the order while allowing a writ petition filed by Shifana PK, a chairperson candidate in the election.
In her plea, Shifana alleged that activists of the Students' Federation of India (SFI), a student union affiliated with the CPM, had been threatening her to withdraw her nomination. She claimed they caused certain law and order issues on campus, which led to the registration of an FIR against them (Exhibit P6). She further alleged that the police ignored her complaint and took no action to provide protection, prompting her to file a writ petition with the High Court.
Taking note of the FIR (Exhibit P6) and the fact that the High Court had ordered police protection during the 2023 elections, Justice N Nagaresh directed the Director General of Police and the Superintendent of Police (Respondents 1 and 2) to provide adequate police protection during the upcoming elections.
The judge observed, “Such police protection shall be given for the smooth functioning of the election, from the commencement of polling till the declaration of results.”
The election comes at a time when the university campus in Thenhipalam has witnessed violent protests against Governor Rajendra Arlekar. On July 13, police issued an order imposing a complete ban on protests and political demonstrations on the university campus.
The Station House Officer of Thenhipalam Police Station served notice to student and employee organizations, declaring that protests, dharnas, and demonstrations are banned within a 200-metre radius of university buildings, including Pareeksha Bhavan and the administrative office.
(With inputs from Live Law)