Kerala HC tells Congress MLA to act, closes PIL

Kochi

The Kerala High Court on Monday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Nilambur MLA Aryadan Shoukath, urging him to take responsibility for the issues he raised. The petition, filed in 2023 before his election, sought an inspection of tribal colonies in Nilambur Taluk, citing poor living conditions and lack of basic amenities. When Shoukath asked to remove his name from the case, the court refused, stating he was now in a better position to act as an elected representative. The bench, led by Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji, remarked that he should carry forward the work instead of withdrawing. The court noted that the petition highlighted important concerns such as human rights violations and the need for infrastructure like a bridge. Concluding that these responsibilities fall under the duties of elected officials, the court disposed of the petition and encouraged Shoukath to address the issues through his office.