These writ petitions are filed by Contractors, who have erected baricades around the Thrikkunnathu Church, Aluva in connection with ‘Orma Perunal’. Petitioners have forwarded the bill to the 1st respondent, District Collector. However, the bills remains unpaid despite the lapse of one and half years. It seems that in earlier occasions also similarly situated Contractors have approached this Court and based on the direction of this Court, the State paid the amount. The judgment of this Court, W.P.(C) No.18515 has been placed before this Court. There is no dispute regarding the amount due. 2. It seems that there are disputes between two fractions of the Church. As the Government is responsible for maintaining law and order, barricades were provided to control the crowd and these expenses were required to be met from the State Exchequer. The two fractions of Church have been impleaded as additional respondents in W.P.(C).Nos.18489 & 18516 of 2014 2 this writ petition. They have not chosen to appear before this Court despite service of notice.
Considering the facts and circumstances, there shall be a direction to the District Collector to disburse the amount due to the petitioner within two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. It is open for the District Collector to recover the amount from the additional respondents to make payment to the petitioner Contractors. If the recovery of the amount is not possible within the time mentioned in the judgment, State shall pay the amount due to the petitioners and take steps to recover the amount from the additional respondents.
The writ petitions are disposed of.
Sd/ A.MUHAMED MUSTAQUE, JUDGE jm/