Alleged derogatory remarks on Centre: Kerala HC suspends officials

Kochi: On alleged derogatory content criticising the Union government in a play staged in the Kerala High Court on Republic Day, the court suspended two of its employees, PTI reported.

The Registrar General of the High Court said that both the officials -- one an Assistant Registrar (higher grade) and the other a Court Keeper (higher grade) -- shall be on suspension, with immediate effect, pending an enquiry into the incident and resultant disciplinary action.

"They (the two officials) shall return all government properties held by them, if any, including the identity card issued to them," the Registrar General said in the order issued on Friday.

The order also stated that the Chief Justice had directed the Registrar (Vigilance) to carry out a detailed enquiry about the incident and submit a report as soon as possible.

"The Registrar (Administration) is directed to furnish a detailed explanation as to the circumstances in which the above-said incident took place," it said.

During the period of suspension, the order said the two shall be paid the subsistence allowance and other allowances admissible as per the relevant rules in practice.

The stage show, titled 'One Nation, One Vision, One India, was performed on Republic Day in the High Court Auditorium here. It was a nine-minute play performed by the staff of the High Court, the staff and clerks of the Advocate General's Office.

The complaint was filed by the Legal Cell and the Bharatheeya Abhibhashaka Parishad. According to the complaint, the play insulted the Central schemes, Azadi Ka Amrita Mahotsav celebrations and the Prime Minister's manner of speaking. Complaints have been made to the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice of the High Court and the Law Ministry.