IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT :- THE HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR.H.L.DATTU & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.M.JOSEPH TUESDAY, THE 1ST APRIL 2008 / 12TH CHAITHRA 1930 WP(C).No. 2804 of 2008(S) -------------------------------------- PETITIONER: - ----------------- CITIZEN INTEREST AGENCY, VASANTH, BEAT NO.3, MANIKIRI ROAD, PALLIMUKKU, COCHIN-682 016. BY ADV. SRI.V.JAYAPRASAD SRI.A.J.JOSE(AEDAIODI) RESPONDENTS: - ---------------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY CHIEF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT OF KERALA SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. SECRETARY, LAW DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT OF KERALA, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 3. SECRETARY, FINANCE DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, GOVT. OF KERALA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 4. SECRETARY, HOME DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT OF KERALA, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. WPC NO.2804/2008 -2- 5. KERALA LEGAL SERVICE AUTHORITY, REPRESENTED BY MEMBER SECRETARY, HIGH COURT COMPLEX, ERNAKULAM. 6. UNION OF INDIA, REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF LAW, SASTRI BHAVAN, NEW DELHI. 7. CHAIRMAN, KERALA STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD, PATTOM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 8. CHAIRMAN, KERALA STATE ROAD TRANSPORT CORPORATION, PALAYAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 9. MINISTER OF LAW AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, SECRETARIAT, GOVT.OF KERALA THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. R1 TO R5 & R9 BY ADVOCATE GENERAL SRI.C.P.SUDHAKARA PRASAD I/B GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI.T.G.SUNIL. R8 BY STANDING COUNSEL SHRI.JOHNSON P.JOHN. R6 BY ASSISTANT SOLICITOR GENERAL SRI.P.PARAMESWARAN NAIR. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 01/04/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: H.L.DATTU, C.J. & K.M.JOSEPH, J. ------------------------------------------------------ W.P.(C) No.2804 of 2008-S ------------------------------------------------------- Dated, this the Ist day of April, 2008 JUDGMENT K.M.Joseph, J. This writ petition is filed by the petitioner highlighting the need for establishment of a permanent Lok Adalat in the State. The case of the petitioner is that there is one Lok Adalat functioning in Thiruvananthapuram. The petitioner submits that, despite reasonable request being made for establishment of 2 Lok Adalats one in Kochi and another in Kozhikode, the stand of the Government is one of refusal. (2). A counter affidavit has been filed by the second respondent defending the refusal by the State to establish a permanent Lok Adalat. Lack of funds is the substantial reason put forward by the State. (3). When the matter came up for admission today, learned Advocate General appearing for the State submits that the State will establish a permanent Lok Adalat in Ernakulam during this year. (4). We would think that, for the present, it would suffice in the interest of justice to close this writ petition recording the submission made by the learned Advocate General. Accordingly, recording the submission made by the learned Advocate General that a permanent Lok Adalat would be established during the course of this year at Ernakulam, the writ petition is closed. Ordered accordingly. (H.L.DATTU) CHIEF JUSTICE (K.M.JOSEPH) JUDGE MS