Kochi

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday held that government funds could not have been spent on the Nava Kerala Citizen Response Programme and set aside the order authorising ₹20 crore for its implementation.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V M observed that the expenditure incurred for implementing such a programme was in violation of the rules of business governing government decisions.

The court’s ruling came while considering two pleas, including one filed by Kerala Students Union (KSU) state president Aloshious Xavier. The petition sought to quash the order launching the programme and restrain the government from allegedly “misusing public funds for personal and political gain of the ruling party or front”.

READ MORE: Brotherhood is necessary for growth: Grand Mufti to PM Modi

The pleas contended that the Nava Kerala Citizen Response Programme was effectively a political campaign of the ruling party or political front, presented as a government initiative. They further alleged that it had been launched with the sole objective of advancing political interests in the run-up to the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections.