High Court of KeralaDivision BenchPetition allowed; police protection directed to...

Indus Towers Ltd. & Charles Mathew v. S.I. of Police, Gandhinagar Police Station, et al.

Case / Petition Number:WP(C).No. 36286 of 2010(I)

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • R. Basant
  • K. Surendran Mohan
Judgment Date
2011-06-17
Court Decision / Holding
This writ petition is allowed. Respondents 1 to 3 are directed to afford protection to the petitioners to construct the mobile tower in terms of Ext.P6 permit issued by the fourth respondent against obstruction, if any, raised by respondents 6 to 17. The protection granted is subject to the observations and conditions stipulated in Essar Telecom Infrastructure (P) Ltd. v State of Kerala (supra) and to the observations in paragraph-3 of the interim order dated 15.3.2011. Interim order shall remain in force until further orders, with a hearing on 27.5.2011.
Final Disposition
Petition allowed; police protection directed to construct the tower subject to stated conditions and interim order provisions.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • Indus Towers Ltd
  • Charles Mathew

Respondents

  • The S.I. of Police, Gandhinagar Police Station, Kottayam District
  • The C.I.O.F Police, Kottayam East, Kottayam
  • The Superintendent of Police, Kottayam
  • Kumaranalloor Grama Panchayath, Kumaranalloor, Kottayam District
  • N. Manoharan, S/o. Late Nanu, Puthenparambil House, Mallossery P.O., Perumbaikkadu Village, Kottayam District 686 041
  • Binoj Joseph, S/o. Joseph, Thondupparambil House, Mallossery P.O., Perumbaikkadu Village, Kottayam District 686 041
  • C.C. Cherian, Chungath House, Mallossery P.O., Perumbaikkadu Village, Kottayam District 686 041
  • Revamma Vijayanath, Kizhakkekutty, Mallossery P.O., Perumbaikkadu Village, Kottayam District 686 041
  • Surendran, Puthenparambil House, Mallossery P.O., Perumbaikkadu Village, Kottayam District 686 041
  • Rajamma, Puthenparambil House, Mallossery P.O., Perumbaikkadu Village, Kottayam District 686 041
  • Jinu Mathew, Perumbalipparambil, Mallossery P.O., Perumbakkadu Village, Kottayam District 686 041
  • Jino Thomas, Panamattathil House, Mallossery P.O., Perumbaikkadu Village, Kottayam District 686 041
  • Anil Joseph, Kunnumpurathu, Mallossery P.O., Perumbaikkadu Village, Kottayam District 686 041
  • Gouri, Puthenparambil, Mallotossery P.O., Perumbaikkadu Village, Kottayam District 686 041
  • Santhamma, Puthenparambil, Mallosssery P.O., Perumbaikkadu Village, Kottayam District 686 041
  • Nazar, Puthenparambil, Lakshmi Veedu Colony, Mallossery P.O., Perumbaikkadu Village, Kottayam District 686 041
  • Rajappan, Puthenparambil, Mallossery P.O., Perumbaikkadu Village, Kottayam District 686 041
  • State of Kerala, represented by its Chief Secretary
  • Union of India, represented by its Secretary, Ministry of Communications and IT, Department of Telecommunications

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • Sri. V. Philip Mathews
  • • Sri. Johnson K. Kurien

Counsels for Respondents

  • • Sri. T.K. Vipindas
  • • Sri. Mathew Philip Edappallil
  • • Sri. T.P.M. Ibrahim Khan
  • • Sri. T.P.M. Ibrahim Khan (Asst. S.G. of India)

Case Synopsis & Summary

This writ petition, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution, seeks police protection to enable the petitioner to construct a mobile telecom tower on land in Malloossery village, Kochi district, in accordance with Ext.P6 permit issued by the fourth respondent Panchayat. The petitioners, Indus Towers Ltd. and Charles Mathew, contend that the permit is valid and enforceable against obstruction by several respondents (6–17) who claim various rights over the property, including a partition suit. Respondents 9 and 10 filed counter-affidavits; their main objection centers on the partition suit and ownership disputes. The court notes a prior interim protection order dated 15 March 2011, framed to allow demolition at the petitioners’ expense if the partition assigns the property to someone other than the 5th respondent who is allegedly the owner, should that person be unwilling to continue the tower. The petitioners rely on Essar Telecom precedents to support the grant of protection. The respondents’ counsel assent to confirming the interim order and granting protection subject to conditions in the interim order. The High Court ultimately allows the petition, directing respondents 1–3 and 18 to provide police protection in terms of Ext.P6, subject to the conditions observed in the cited Essar cases. The interim protection is continued until further orders, with a hearing fixed for 27 May 2011.

Provisions of Law Cited

Article 226 of the Constitution of India

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners contend Ext.P6 permit issued by the fourth respondent Panchayath is valid and enforceable and that the interim protection previously granted on 15 March 2011 should be confirmed so as to allow construction of the mobile tower. They rely on precedents Essar Telecom Infrastructure (P) Ltd. v C.I. of Police (2010(2) KLT 762) (FB) and Essar Telecom Infrastructure (P) Ltd. v State of Kerala (2011(2) KHC 171) to support their entitlement to protection and to challenge objections raised by respondents 6–17.

Contentions of Respondents

Respondents 9 and 10 concede the interim order dated 15 March 2011 can be confirmed and police protection granted, subject to the terms set out in paragraph 3 of the interim order, which require the petitioners to demolish the tower at their expense if the partition assigns the property to someone other than the 5th respondent and that person is unwilling to continue the tower.

Cited Precedents (2)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Essar Telecom Infrastructure (P) Ltd. v C.I. of Police2010(2) KLT 762 (FB)PositiveCited as a precedent supporting the petitioner's claim to police protection and to uphold the validity of the protective measures.
Essar Telecom Infrastructure (P) Ltd. v State of Kerala2011(2) KHC 171PositiveCited for its observations and conditions governing protection, which the court applies to the present case.

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Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** **PRESENT :** **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R.BASANT** **& THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.SURENDRA MOHAN** **FRIDAY, THE 17TH JUNE 2011 / 27TH JYAISHTA 1933** **WP(C).No. 36286 of 2010(I)** **---------------------------------------PETITIONER(S):** - **-------------------------** **1. INDUS TOWERS LTD , CIRCLE OFFICE AT VANKARATH TOWERS, 8TH FLOOR, NH-47, PALARIVATTOM, KOCHI -24, REPRESENTED BY ITS HEAD LEGAL, PREMAKRISHNAN NAIR.** ## **2. CHARLES MATHEW, S/O.MATHEW,** **PALATHARA HOUSE, THURUTHY PO, CHANGANASSERY, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT (PARTNER, PALATHARA CONSTRUCTIONS, CHANGANACHERRY).** **BY ADVS. SRI.V.PHILIP MATHEWS SRI.JOHNSON K.KURIEN.** **RESPONDENT(S):** - **-------------------------------** **1. THE S.I OF POLICE,GANDHINAGAR POLICE STATION, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT.** ## **2. THE C.I.OF POLICE, KOTTAYAM EAST,KOTTAYAM.** ## **3. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE ,KOTTAYAM.** **4. KUMARANALLOOR GRAMA PANCHAYATH, KUMARANALLOOR, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY.** **5. N.MANOHARAN, S/O. MR.LATE NANU, PUTHENPARAMBIL HOUSE, MALLOOSSERY PO, PERUMBAIKKADU VILLAGE, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT 686 041.** **6. BINOY JOSEPH, S/O.JOSEPH, THONDUPARAMBIL HOUSE, MALLOOSSERY PO, PERUMBAIKKADU VILLAGE, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT 686 041.** **7. C.C.CHERIAN, CHUNGATH HOUSE,MALLOOSERRY PO, PERUMBAIKKADU VILLAGE,KOTTAYAM DISTRICT 686 041.** **8. REVAMMA VIJAYANATH, KIZHAKKEKUTTU, MALLOOSSERY PO., PERUMBAIKKADU VILLAGE, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT - 686 041.** **..2/-** **Kss** **..2....** **WPC.NO.36286/2010 I** **9. SURENDRAN, PUTHENPARAMBIL HOUSE, MALLOOSSERY PO, PERUMBAIKKADU VILLAGE, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT - 686 041.** **10.RAJAMMA, PUTHENPARAMBIL HOUSE, MALLOOSSERY PO, PERUMBAIKKADU VILLAGE, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT - 686 041.** - **11.JINU MATHEW, PERUMBALLIPARAMBIL, MALLOOSERRY PO, PERUMBAIKKADU VILLAGE, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT - 686 041.** **12. JINO THOMAS, PANAMATTATHIL HOUSE, MALLOOSSERY PO, PERUMBAIKKADU VILLAGE, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT - 686 041.** **13. ANIL JOSEPH, KUNNUMPURATHU, MALLOOSSERY PO, PERUMBAIKKADU VILLAGE, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT - 686 041.** **14. GOURI, PUTHENPARAMBIL, MALLOOSSSERY PO, PERUMBAIKKADU VILLAGE, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT - 686 041.** **15. SANTHAMMA, PUTHENPARAMBIL, MALLOOSSERY PO, PERUMBAIKKADU VILLAGE, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT -686 041.** **16. NAZAR, PUTHENPARAMBIL, LAKSHAMVEEDU COLONY, MALLOOSSERY PO,PERUMBAIKKADU VILLAGE, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT - 686 041.** **17. RAJAPPAN, PUTHENPARAMBIL,** **MALLOOSERRY PO,PERUMBAIKKADU VILLAGE, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT 686 041.** **18. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF SECRETARY, KERALA GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.** **19. UNION OF INDIA, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF COMMUNNICATIONS AND IT, DEPARTMENT OF TELE COMMUNICATIONS, SANCHAR BHAVAN, 20, ASHOKA ROAD, NEW DELHI 110001.** **R1 TO R3 & R18 BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI. T.K.VIPINDAS R6 , R8 TO 13,15 TO 17 BY ADV. SRI.MATHEW PHILIP EDAPPALLIL R19 BY SRI. T.P.M.IBRAHIM KHAN, ASST. S.G. OF INDIA** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 17/06/2011,THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **Kss** ## **WPC.NO.36286/2010 I** ## **APPENDIX** ## **PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS:** - **P1: COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION ISSUED BY THE ASSISTANT REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES, NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI AND HARYANA.** - **P2: COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE FOR COMMENCEMENT OF BUSINESS ISSUED BY THE ASSISTANT REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES, NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI AND HARYANA.** - **P3: COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE NO.177/2008 DTD. 10/01/2008 ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & IT, DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS.** - **P4: COPY OF THE FRESH CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION CONSEQUENT UPON CHANGE OF NAME ISSUED BY THE DEPUTY REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES, NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI AND HARYANA.** **P4(A): COPY OF EXHIBIT P5.** - **P5: COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION SEND BY THE DIRECTOR (CS III) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & IT, DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS, NEW DELHI.** - **P6: COPY OF BUILDING PERMIT NO.273/2010-11 DTD. 25/09/2010 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT PANCHAYAT TO FIRST PETITIONER.** - **P7: COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION DTD. 20/11/10 SUBMITTED BEFORE THE 1ST RESPONDENT.** - **P8: COPY OF POSTAL RECEIPTS.** ## **RESPONDENT'S EXHIBITS:** **R9(A): COPY OF THE PLAINT O.S.NO.279/2010 BEFORE MUNSIFF COURT, ETTUMANOOR.** **/TRUE COPY/** **P.A.TO JUDGE** **Kss** ## **R.BASANT & K.SURENDRA MOHAN, JJ. ------------------------------------------WPC No.36286 of 2010 ------------------------------------------Dated this the 17[th] June, 2011** ## **JUDGMENT** ## Basant, J. The petitioner has come to this Court claiming issue of directions under Article 226 of the Constitution to respondents 1 to 3 to afford police protection to the petitioner for the construction of a mobile tower in accordance with Ext.P6 permit issued by the fourth respondent Panchayat against illegal obstruction that is being raised by respondents 6 to 17. Fifth respondent is the owner of the property. 2. Respondents have been served. Party respondents 9 and 10 alone have chosen to appear. Counter affidavit has been filed by respondents 9 and 10. The only ground of objection raised by the learned counsel for respondents 9 and 10 is that the property where the tower is proposed to be constructed is involved in a partition suit filed by the 9[th] respondent and others. Respondent No.5 claims that he is not a co-owner. According to him,he is entitled to exclusive rights in WPC No.36286/2010 2 respect of the property, submits the learned counsel for the petitioner. 3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that Ext.P6 permit issued by the fourth respondent is valid and legal. The same has not been challenged by any one. The learned counsel draws our attention to the precedents in **Essar Telecom Infrastructure (P) Ltd., v C.I. of Police** [2010(2) KLT 762) (FB)] and **Essar Telecom Infrastructure (P) Ltd. v State of Kerala** (2011(2) KHC 171). Respondents 6 to 17 do not in these circumstances have any valid right to oppose the application. It is brought to our notice that by order dated 15[th] March 2011, an interim order of protection was granted to the petitioners subject to appropriate terms and conditions. It was directed that in the partition suit if the building is allotted to any one other than the sixth respondent, the tower constructed can be demolished by the petitioners at their expense, if the person to whom the property is allotted is unwilling to continue the tower. 4. The learned counsel for respondents 9 and 10, the only respondents who have chosen to enter appearance WPC No.36286/2010 3 and resist the prayer submits that respondents 9 and 10 agree that the interim order dated 15[th] March 2011 can be confirmed and police protection can be granted subject to the conditions stipulated in paragraph-3 of the said interim order which reads as follows: “We make it clear that in passing the interim order, we have accepted the undertaking of the petitioners that if in the partition suit, the property where the tower is built is allotted to anyone other than the 5[th] respondent, the tower constructed shall be demolished by the petitioners at their expenses if the person to whom the property is allotted is unwilling to continue the tower”. 5. In the absence of opposition from any one, we are satisfied that the prayer can be allowed. 6. In the result, a) This writ petition is allowed. b) Respondents 1 to 3 are directed to afford protection to the petitioners to construct the mobile tower in terms of Ext.P6 permit issued by the fourth respondent against obstruction, if any, raised by respondents 6 to 17. c) Needless to say the protection hereby granted is subject to the observations and conditions stipulated in **Essar Telecom Infrastructure (P) Ltd. v State of** WPC No.36286/2010 4 **Kerala** (supra). 7. We further make it clear that the protection hereby granted is again subject to the observations in paragraph-3 of the interim order dated 15.3.2011 extracted above. sd/- **R.BASANT JUDGE** **sd/- K.SURENDRA MOHAN JUDGE** css/ true copy P.S.TO JUDGE WPC No.36286/2010 5 **R.BASANT & K.SURENDRA MOHAN, JJ. ------------------------------------------WPC No.36286 of 2010 -------------------------------------------** WPC No.36286/2010 6 # **Dated this the 31[st] March, 2011** # **ORDER** ## Basant, J. Interim order shall now remain in force until further orders. Call on 27.5.2011 for hearing and disposal. **R.BASANT JUDGE** **K.SURENDRA MOHAN JUDGE** css/