Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan says he perceives a ‘start of collapse of Constitutional machinery’ in the State
The Hindu
Kerala Governor arif mohammmed khan perceives "start of collapse of Constitutional machinery" in Kerala due to alleged attack on his motorcade by SFI activists. Union Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan said the SFI's attempt to "waylay" the Governor was illustrative of the dismal law and order situation in Kerala. 19 SFI activists arrested in connection with the incident. Police have invoked Section 124 of IPC against protesters, which entails a punishment of up to 7 years imprisonment and fine.
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has said he perceived a “start of the collapse of the Constitutional machinery in the State” but stopped short of stating that the situation was a precursor to the President’s declaration of a State Emergency under Article 356 of the Constitution.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi on December 12 (Tuesday), Mr. Khan repeated his allegation that the police had used their vehicles to transport Students’ Federation of India (SFI) activists who sought to “harm” him at different points along the Governor’s route from Raj Bhavan to the Thiruvananthapuram international airport on Monday (December 11) evening at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s instance. “If this conspiracy is not a collapse of the Constitutional machinery, what is?” Mr. Khan asked.
Mr. Khan also publicly toyed with the possibility of recommending the presidential imposition of a financial emergency in Kerala under Article 360 of the Constitution.
He pointed out that the Chief Secretary had deposed in the Kerala High Court recently that the administration could not honour its financial guarantees, including to State employees and pensioners, given the fiscal crunch.
“I have sought a report from the Chief Secretary on the State’s financial situation. The Chief Minister responded by stating that the government was not bound to answer every query raised by the Governor. I will wait 10 days for the government’s reply and then make my recommendation to the Centre,” Mr. Khan said.
Mr. Khan also sought to up the ante in his stand-off with the government by repeating his accusation that Mr. Vijayan had tasked the SFI to “harm him physically” using roadside black flag protests as a pretext.
“The Chief Minister wields the Home portfolio. Everything runs as per his direction. Who has held this conspiracy? He (CM) publicly stated that the Governor is provoking students. So, this conspiracy (to harm the Governor) is hatched by the CM. Section 124 of the Indian Penal Code clearly states that any attempt to overawe the President or the Governor is a cognisable offence. I have sought a report from the State Police Chief and the Chief Secretary,” Mr. Khan said.
The Madras High Court on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, rejected a plea by former special Director General of Police (DGP) Rajesh Das to restore the electricity service connection to a bungalow in Thaiyur near Kelambakkam in Chengalpattu district, and to restrain Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) officials from disturbing the power supply in future.