The Kerala High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the reforms introduced by the new Lakshadweep Administration. The court observed that a writ court could only consider a policy matter if there was any arbitrariness, illegality or unfairness on the part of the authority while exercising power conferred under law.
"Taking into account the proposition of law laid down by the Apex Court and the facts and circumstances available in the case at hand, we have no hesitation to hold that the petitioner has not made out any case of arbitrariness or illegality in the policy decision taken by the Lakshadweep administration in the matter of the closure of the cattle farm, and the modification of the midday meal scheme provided to the children of the island," a Division Bench of Chief Justice S Manikumar and Justice Shaji P Chaly remarked.
The court noted that because of financial considerations, the decision to close dairy farms was taken, and the mid-day meal menu was modified without compromising the nutritional content.
The petition was filed by one Ajmal Ahmed R., an Advocate by profession and a member of the Executive Committee of the Lakshadweep Bar Association.
