MUJEEBA RAHMAN Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition came to be filed way back in 2009 when Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of Willington Water Works was to be celebrated between 4.2.2009 to 10.2.2009 wherein the names of celebrities attending the programme were published along with photographs at Ext.P1 wherein Sri.Uthradam Thirunal Marthandavarma was referred to with his title "His Highness Uthradam Thirunal Marthandavarma, Thiruvithamkoor Maharajavu". According to petitioner, such description is unconstitutional, therefore, in the absence of any response from the respondent-authorities when objections were raised by the petitioner and others, they had to approach this Court.

(2.) On going through the contents of the writ petition, the main grievance seems to be, State has sponsored the programme spending money from the public exchequer, therefore, describing the title of "Thiruvithamkoor Maharajavu" in the above manner is W.P.(C) 8426/09 2 unconstitutional.

(3.) The so-called celebration of Platinum Jubilee is already over and at paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 7 of the counter affidavit which are reproduced hereunder clearly indicates why importance was given to the person on account of, i.e., he being the Chief Guest of the function and on the completion of 75 years of Willington Water Works because of the support given to the said water works by the family of the then Maharaja of Thiruvithamkoor, i.e., it was commissioned in the year 1933 by Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma:- 3. The Willington Water Works was designed in the year 1928 and it was commissioned in the year 1933 during the reign of the then Maharaja of Travancore - Sri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma. It was designed for providing drinking water to the city of Thiruvananthapuram. The structural design and architectural excellence earned a name for the Willington Water Works and it has been hailed as a milestone in the history of water supply in the State. On completion of 75 years of its inception, it was decided to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of the Willington Water Works in a befitting manner. The celebrations were planned from 4th February 2009 to 10th February 2009. Since Willington Water Works was commissioned during the reign of the then Maharaja, as the successor of Sri.Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma was invited as the Chief Guest of the celebrations. It was in announcement of the said Platinum Jubilee Celebrations that Ext.P1 advertisement was issued.