Kerala High Court flays Kochi Corporation

Kochi: The Kerala High Court flayed the Kochi corporation on the second consecutive day over the controversial Panampilly Nagar drain issue.
The court on Monday expressed dissatisfaction over the submissions made by corporation additional secretary A.S.Anooja who appeared in a contempt case filed in connection with the delay in constructing a drain in Panampilly Nagar.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice P.R.Ramachandra Menon were considering the case. A contempt petition filed by Peter Augustine, a resident of the area is pending before the court. According to him, the corporation has not taken any steps to implement a High Court directive to complete work on the drain.
A.S.Anooja submitted that the construction was in progress. She also added that only 250 metres remained to be completed.

“We cannot trust the corporation. The corporation has been making the same statement over the last few years.” the bench observed.
The court also asked whether there was any diversion of funds or any political intervention in the matter. The court had earlier observed that it would have to appoint an Advocate Commissioner to monitor the progress of the construction. “If the situation gets worse, we will appoint an advocate's commission to probe the matter,” the court observed.

The High Court in March 2013 had asked the corporation to complete work on the drain at the 5th Cross Road at Panampilly Nagar, before the onset of the monsoons.