Kerala Industrial Dept Principal Secy lands in soup for flouting traffic rules

Kochi: The Principal Secretary of the Kerala Industries Department found himself in a tight spot after he was caught in a traffic violation incident. Following a direction from the Kerala High Court to find out who had used the Innova car of Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML) MD flouting traffic rules, the State Government has informed that it was Principal Secretary APM Mohammed Hanish IAS who illegally installed government board and flash light in the car. 

This was a breach of law which the High Court judges saw firsthand. On the way to see off the Chief Justice, they noticed a government vehicle passing through the Aluva flyover with flash lights on. Following this incident, the High Court judges directed the government lawyer to find out as to who owned the vehicle and who was using it.

In response to this question, the government replied that the vehicle is being used by the Principal Secretary, Industries Department. The government approached the court demanding the release of the vehicle which is currently in the custody of the Enforcement wing of the Motor Vehicle Department in Thiruvananthapuram. The High Court has not considered the demand.

The bench, chaired by Justice Anil K Narendran, has been taking action against such violations since earlier. The Principal Secretary of the Industries Department was caught at a time when the High Court is taking strict actions against the illegal installation of government boards and flash lights on vehicles.

Mohammad Hanish has no legal authority to install a flash light on top of the vehicle. Placing the ‘Kerala State’ board on the vehicle of a public sector undertaking is also a violation of the law. However, the government's explanation is that he used this vehicle because he was also in charge of the KMML.