M.K.UTHAMAN Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The writ petition is filed challenging the constitutional validity of Kerala Maritime Board (Amendment) Ordinance, 2022. The writ petition is already admitted. The senior counsel Sri.Ranjit Thampan, instructed by his retaining counsel, insisted for an interim order. The prayer in the interim relief is to stay the operation of Kerala Maritime Board (Amendment) Ordinance, 2022 or restrain respondents and its officers from exercising the powers or committing any Act pursuant to the Kerala Maritime Board (Amendment) Ordinance, 2022, specifically Sec. 3, 4, 5, 7, 10 and 11 of the Kerala Maritime Board (Amendment) Ordinance.

(2.) Since the prayer in the interim relief is to stay the operation of the ordinance or to restrain respondents from exercising powers based on certain Sec. in the amended Act, this Court raised a doubt about the jurisdiction of this Court to pass such orders by way of interim order. Therefore, the case was adjourned for hearing the prayer for interim orders.

(3.) Heard senior counsel Sri.Ranjit Thampan and also the Advocate General for the State.