The ruling reinforces the right of a petitioner to adequate police protection against perceived threats when engaging independent workers.

JUDGMENT

The petitioner has approached this Court seeking a direction to the police authorities to provide adequate police protection to the petitioner against the threat from respondents 4 to 6.

2. While admitting the writ petition on 12.04.2023, this Court directed the 2nd respondent to provide effective protection to the petitioner for carrying out loading and unloading activities with the the help of attached workers.

3. The learned counsel for the 3^rd respondent Board would submits that, as on the date of filing of the writ petition, the area was not a scheme-covered area and, therefore, the petitioner was entitled to engage her own workers.

In view of the afore, this writ petition would stand closed, making the interim order dated 12.04.2023 absolute.

Sd/-

HARISANKAR V. MENON JUDGE GBG APPENDIX OF WP(C) NO. 13324 OF 2023 PETITIONER EXHIBITS Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF JUDGMENT IN WP(C) NO. 19466 OF 2022 DATED 23-06-2022 OF THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA.