Kerala HC Directs Traffic Panel To Decide 72-Year-Old Building Owner’s Complaint About Autorickshaws Blocking Access

The petitioner and his wife owned a two-storey commercial building in Ward No. 6 of the first respondent Panchayath. He alleged that autorickshaws parked in front of the building obstructed access and created difficulties for vehicles at the junction. After submitting a complaint to the Panchayath Secretary, and receiving an acknowledgement, the petitioner approached the High Court because no action had been taken

The Court heard the petitioner’s counsel and the Government Pleader and dispensed with notice to respondents 1 and 2 in view of the order proposed

Section 72 of the Kerala Police Act, 2011, provides for the constitution of a Traffic Regulatory Committee; in this case, the President of the Grama Panchayath was identified as the Committee’s Chairperson

The Court directed that the complaint be considered by the Committee after hearing the petitioner and stakeholders and in accordance with law

The petitioner’s complaint concerned a local traffic and parking issue falling for consideration by the Panchayath’s Traffic Regulatory Committee. Rather than determine the merits of the alleged obstruction itself, the Court directed the Panchayath President, as Committee Chairperson, to place the complaint before the Committee.

Requiring the Committee to hear the petitioner and stakeholders ensured that the complaint would be considered through the designated forum and in accordance with law

The Committee was directed to decide the complaint after hearing the petitioner and stakeholders, in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible and no later than six weeks thereafter