SHAJAHAN MOOPPAN Vs. DISTRICT POLICE CHIEF

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners herein contend that they are conducting manpower recruiting agencies at Ernakulam, Kozhikode, and Perinthalmanna on the strength of licence issued under Section 11 of the Emigration Act, 1983. After getting authorization from the Ministry of External Affairs, the petitioners, on the strength of the licence granted to them recruited about 220 workers which include respondents 7 to 9 to work as heavy-duty drivers in Dubai. Exhibit P 1 is the registration certificate issued to M/s Apple Travels and Exhibits P2 to P 4 are the authorization letters issued by the GOI to conduct the interview. While the recruiters were undergoing training, the pandemic struck the entire world and disrupted the prevailing situation. There was a total shut down by the company which recruited the workers, however, they have been providing food and accommodation to the recruitees. According to the petitioners, they cannot be blamed for this unforeseen situation. However, taking advantage of this situation, the respondents 7 to 9, who are relatives of some of the recruitees are threatening the petitioners with physical harm and they are not even being permitted to open their offices. According to the petitioners, unless they keep their offices open, they will not be able to render assistance to the recruitees and take measures to ensure that all of them are brought back to India. It is in the above backdrop that this writ petition is filed seeking a direction to the respondents to afford effective and adequate police protection to the lives of the petitioners and their employees and also to enable them to run their offices at Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Perinthalmanna without any threat of harm from respondents 7 to 9.

(2.) Though notice was issued to the respondents 7 to 9 and the same was served, they have not cared to enter appearance.

(3.) Sri K.P. Harish, the learned Government Pleader, on instructions submits that no complaints have been raised by the police against the petitioners.