Kerala HC declines stay for Lakshadweep reforms' draft; Centre to respond in two weeks

Kochi: Declining to pronounce a stay order on the implementation of the Draft Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation 2021 in Lakshadweep, the Kerala High Court sought the Centre's response.

Considering a PIL filed by Congress leader K P Noushad Ali that challenged the execution of the Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation 2021 and the Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act, the HC directed the Centre and Lakshadweep administration to respond within two weeks.

In his plea, Ali alleged illegal interference with the social, political and cultural realities in Lakshadweep by the Administrator.

He submitted that the residents of islands are opposed to the LDAR and the creation of a Lakshadweep Development Authority (LDA) issued by the administration as it gives powers to the administration to remove the smallholding of property owned by the islanders belonging to the Scheduled Tribes.

The petitioner also alleged that the newly introduced PASA gives powers to the administration to detain a person without any public disclosure for a period of up to one year.

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