Vijayawada: The high court on Tuesday criticised political parties in the state for approaching the court for every trivial dispute. In the last five-six years, political parties in the state have reduced the stature of the high court to the level of a second-class magistrate court, the HC bench observed.Taking serious note of a house motion petition filed seeking protection for councillors of Tiruvuru who wanted to participate in the election process, the high court warned that it would take punitive action against the police, starting from the constable to the DGP, if they are found to be at fault. At the same time, if the petitioners are found to be at fault, exemplary costs of Rs 10 lakh would be imposed, the HC stated.The petitioners’ counsel stated that police were not providing any protection despite representations. Denying the allegations, the govt pleader stated that no representation was made as being claimed and police are not aware of the whereabouts of the petitioners. The representations given to the election commission were not enough according to the earlier orders of the high court, the govt pleader added. The counsel for the petitioners said the representation given to the election commission was forwarded to the commissioner of police.Justice Y Lakshmana Rao said everyone is taking the system for a ride. Directing the Vijayawada police commissioner to provide protection to the petitioners, Justice Lakshmana Rao warned that if the petitioners resorted to any wrongdoing by taking advantage of the protection, contempt of court proceedings would be initiated against them.
