Date:28/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/28/stories/2007072850440100.htm

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Contempt charge against Chief Secretary

Kochi: A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Friday decided to frame contempt charges against the Chief Secretary in a contempt of court case. The Bench directed the Chief Secretary to appear in person on July 30 before the court. The case was filed by G. Sukumaran, convener, Action Committee for Drainages in Guruvayur town. The petition was filed against the Chief Secretary for not implementing the High Court directive for taking steps to set up a sewage treatment plant in Guruvayur.

The court had earlier directed the Guruvayur Devaswom, Guruvayur Municipality and the Government to consider the objections from the people. As the Government did not take any steps, the petitioner filed a contempt petition in 2005. In the counter affidavit , the Government undertook that the plant would be set up within a year. Since the Government failed to set up the plant, the petitioner filed the second contempt petition.