The Kerala High Court on Monday disposed of a PIL previously filed by Nilambur MLA Aryadan Shouketh on the grounds that since the petitioner has been elected as a public representative, he would be in a better position to address the issues raised in the plea himself.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji made these oral observations when the Counsel representing the MLA sought permission to withdraw the PIL filed by Shouketh and others in 2023, seeking steps for the betterment of tribal persons residing in the Nilambur Taluk.
On July 27, 2023, Shouketh, along with other people, filed a PIL seeking direction to the 16th respondent acting as tribal monitoring committee to inspect the tribal colonies in Pothugal Grama Panchayat, Vazhikadavu Grama Panchayat and Karulai Grama Panchayath in Nilambur Taluk tribal and report the pathetic living condition of tribal families in sheds covered with plastic sheets in the deep forest.
The plea further highlighted the imminent danger being faced by these families and lack of connectivity with the main land in the absence of Iruttukutty Concrete bridge constructed across the Chaliyarpuzha and Punjakolli Iron Bridge constructed across the Puhnapuzha river, which were washed away during the flood in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
When the matter came up for hearing today, the Counsel appearing for Shouketh prayed that his name be deleted from the party array since he was elected as Nilambur MLA in June 2025.
The High Court, while refusing permission for withdrawal of the PIL, observed that since Shouketh (petitioner No 1) had become an MLA, he was in better position to take up the tasks mentioned in the PIL, such as issues related to achieving and securing basic necessities of life and social justice for tribals in the area. This should become his campaign manifesto, it added.
The High Court further noted that the PIL prayed for effective steps to build a bridge across the river. The task should be carried out by the local authorities, state government and elected representatives, it added.
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