IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANTONY DOMINIC WEDNESDAY, THE 15TH APRIL 2009 / 25TH CHAITHRA 1931 WP(C).No. 12376 of 2009(N) PETITIONER(S) : THOMAS CHAZHIKADAN, MLA, S/O. CYRIAC RESIDING AT CHAZHIKATT HOUSE, S.H. MOUNT P.O., PARUMBAIKKAD VILLAGE, NATTASSERY KARA, KOTTAYAM TALUK, KOTTAYAM DIST. BY ADV. SRI.TOM JOSE (PADINJAREKARA) RESPONDENT(S): 1. THE RETURNING OFFICER, 14 KOTTAYAM, PARLIAMENT CONSTITUTENCY AND DISTRICT COLLECTOR, KOTTAYAM. 2. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, KOTTAYAM. 3. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, ERNAKULAM RURAL 4. DY. SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, KOTTAYAM. 5. DY. SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, PALA 6. DY. SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, MUVATTUPUZHA. 7. CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER, AND PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT. 8. LEFT DEMOCRATIC FRONT REPRESENTED BY ITS ELECTION COMMITTEE CONVENOR, V.T. BHASKARAN, CPIM DISTRICT COMMITTEE OFFICE, KOTTAYAM. SRI. K.K. RAVINDRANATH, ADDL. D.G.P. ADV. SRI.MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN, SC,ELE.COMMN. FOR R1 & R7 THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 15/04/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S. Siri Jagan & Antony Dominic, J J. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= W. P (C) No. 12376 of 2009 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Dated this, the 15th April, 2009. J U D G M E N T Antony Dominic, J. The petitioner claims that he is the Chief Election Agent of a candidate contesting from the Kottayam Parliamentary Constituency in the election which is scheduled to be held on 16-4-2009. In this writ petition, what he prayed is that directions should be issued to respondents 1 to 3 to provide adequate police protection for ensuring a fair and smooth election. The standing counsel appearing for respondents 1 and 7, on instructions, submits that they have identified 22 booths as vulnerable and that steps have already been taken for deployment of adequate police to ensure free and fair election. 2. The learned Additional Director General of Prosecutions appearing for respondents 2 to 6, on instructions, submitted the details of the arrangements made, as follows: Total area is divided into 70 Group Patrols consisting of 8-10 premises. Each Group Patrol consists of 1 SI + 2 HC/PC. 60 Law and Order Patrols are arranged for maintaining Law and Order and each L & O Patrols consists of 1 SI + 2 HC/PC. There are 12 Election Circles 1 CI and 12 HC/PC are detailed as striking force. There are 5 Election Sub divisions headed by 1 Dy.SP each contains 20 HC/PCs as striking for and SP has 81 HC/PCs as Striking Force. 1 company of Para military force is allotted to this district for maintaining Law and Order situations. IGPs striking Force including 1 CI + 2 SIs and 75 PCs are posted at Vaikom for maintaining Law and order. In addition, 1 platoon of Quick Response Team is stationed at the Head Quarters to meet any eventuality as and when it arises. W.P.C. No. 12376/09. -: 2 :- In addition to above scheme, a Control Room is functioning at District Head Quarters headed by 1 Dy.SP, 3 other Dy.Sps., 8 CIs, 20 SI/ASIs and 96 PCS are posted in the control room for maintaining Law and Order. 2. From the above submissions made and the details furnished, it is evident that the respondents themselves have taken adequate steps for ensuring that the election is held without any obstruction from any quarters. Therefore, recording the submissions as above, we close this writ petition. Sd/- S. Siri Jagan, Judge. Sd/- Antony Dominic, Judge. Tds/ [True copy] P.S to Judge.