Kerala high court extends police cover for vicar of St Mary's Cathedral Basilica in Ernakulam

Kochi: High court directed that police protection for Fr Tharian Njaliath, the newly appointed vicar of St Mary's Cathedral Basilica in Ernakulam, be extended till May 19, the next hearing date. The bench of Justice Shoba Annamma Eapen was considering Fr Njaliath's petition for police security after certain individuals came out against his appointment.

HC had on April 8 directed the Kochi city police commissioner and Ernakulam Town North and Central Police station house officers to provide adequate and effective protection for Fr Njaliath. Fr Njaliath was appointed as vicar by the major archbishop of the Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese recently. However, a section within the archdiocese objected to his appointment and insisted that the former vicar continue, leading to heightened tensions.