Kerala High Court initiates suo motu contempt action over hartal by Dalit, Adivasi groups

The Kerala High Court has initiated suo motu contempt of court action on Tuesday (April 28, 2026) over a hartal called by Dalit and Adivasi organisations in connection with the alleged suicide of BDS student Nithin Raj.

A Division Bench of Justice Basant Balaji and Justice P. Krishna Kumar directed the DGP (Law and Order) to submit a report by the same day evening on the alleged violent incidents and traffic hold-ups in different districts after hartal supporters blocked roads and forced the closure of shops. The court also issued notice to those who gave a call for the hartal.

Published - April 28, 2026 08:00 pm IST