KOCHI: Aluva police has booked organisers of UDF's Janakeeya Yatra on Kochi Metro on June 20. The case is based on a complaint by the train company's assistant line superintendent for breaching some substantive provisions of the Metro Railways (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2002.
The KMRL managing director Elias George had sought a report on the ruckus created by Congress workers during the journey led by former chief minister Oommen Chandy. The probe report submitted by the director (finance), KMRL, found that the yatra violated rules. It initiated legal proceedings after examining visuals captured at stations and on the train. Other riders had complained of the difficulties they suffered from overcrowding and disruption of normal functioning.
As per Metro rules shouting slogans and staging a protest inside Metro station amounts to a penalty of Rs 1000 and jail term up to six months. Those causing inconvenience to passengers will have to pay a penalty of'500. Mr Chandy, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and senior Congress leaders took the journey from Aluva to Palarivattom in response to the alleged neglect of UDF leaders during its inauguration. Mr Chandy welcomed the police action saying violators of law should be brought to book, but it should apply to all.
