The timely intervention of the Kerala High Court has saved a poor widow in Thrissur district from the evil designs of a group of her neighbors to liquidate her only source of living- goat rearing.

For Remya, a 54 year old widow in Chelakkara (hometown of CPI(M) strongman and Kerala Minister K Radhakrishnan), the only source of livelihood was her goat. Since the State Government is in deep financial crisis, it has not been able to reimburse her monthly widow pension of Rs 1,300/- which has thrown her life out of gear. The goat was her only source of income and she has been rearing the goat with utmost care.

But a neighbor who had some other ideas, approached the Panchayat alleging that Remya by rearing the goat was polluting the environment and many people in the locality were facing health related issues. The Panchayat issued a show-cause notice to the hapless woman asking her why action should not be taken against her “terrorist” goat for causing environment and ecological hazard.

Though Remya replied to the notice promptly, the masters of the local self government were not satisfied and they decided to auction the goat to “save the local residents’ from the health hazards caused by the goat.

The Panchayat fixed 7th March 2024 as the D-day and all concerned were asked to be present for the auction. Her neighbors, the complainants, were happy as they hoped to get the goat for a small price during the auction. The course took a twist here as a young lawyer Muraleedharan Harikiran and his colleague P T Sheejish entered the scene. They filed a writ petition in Kerala High Court under Article 226 of the Indian Constitution which states that the High Courts have powers to issue to any person or authority including in appropriate cases any Government within those territories directions, orders or writs for the enforcement of any of the rights conferred by Part III of the Constitution (Fundamental Rights).