Kerala HC Suo Motu: Centre and State Given Three Weeks to File Counter Affidavits on Compensation and Safety Steps
The Kerala High Court's Division Bench directed the Union of India and the State to file detailed counter affidavits within three weeks covering compensation for deceased victims' families and steps to prevent recurrence of the incident.
The High Court of Kerala, taking up WP(PIL) No. 104 of 2026 as a suo motu proceeding, directed both the Union of India and the State of Kerala to file counter affidavits addressing compensation to families of deceased persons and measures to prevent similar incidents. The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M., sitting at Ernakulam, passed the order on 18 June 2026. The respondents include the Union, the State, senior police and district administration officials of Thrissur, the Deputy Chief Controller of Explosives, the Labour Commissioner, and the Cochin Devaswom Board along with the Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu Devaswom Committees.
The Proceeding and Its Respondents
The court took up the matter suo motu, with no named petitioner. Eleven respondents have been arrayed, spanning the central government (represented by the Cabinet Secretary), the State of Kerala (represented by the Chief Secretary), the State Police Chief, the District Collector and Additional District Magistrate of Thrissur, the City Police Commissioner of Thrissur, and the Labour Commissioner. The Cochin Devaswom Board and the two Devaswom committees — Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu — are also respondents, pointing to a religious or festival context for the underlying incident.
The matter had previously come before the court on 19 May 2026, and the 18 June 2026 hearing was a second listing for admission. The order was authored by Justice Syam Kumar V.M.
What the Respondents Submitted
Mr. K.P. Sudheer, appearing as Standing Counsel for the first respondent (Union of India), and Mr. P. Sreekumar (Senior), Additional Solicitor General of India, submitted that a detailed counter affidavit would be placed on record. They indicated it would cover all relevant aspects of the matter, including the question of compensation to the family members of the deceased persons.
Ms. O.A. Nuriya, Senior Government Pleader, appearing for respondents 2 to 8, submitted that a detailed counter affidavit would be filed pointing out the steps taken to ensure that such incidents are not repeated. The State's affidavit would also address the steps taken to rehabilitate and provide compensation for those who lost family members in the incident.
Directions of the Court
The Division Bench granted three weeks to all respondents to file their respective counter affidavits. The court directed that copies be served on the other parties before filing. The matter has been posted to 16 July 2026 for further hearing.
Outcome
Counter affidavits by both the Union of India and the State of Kerala (along with respondents 2 to 8) are to be filed within three weeks from 18 June 2026, after service of copies. The next date of hearing is 16 July 2026.