The Kerala High Court on Friday took up a Public Interest Litigation on its own over the suicide of an NRI businessman, which it described as "painful", and issued notice to the government, asking for an explanation by July 15.
The court initiated proceedings based on news reports.
The 49-year-old Nigeria-returned businessman Sajan Parayil, who had spent about Rs 16 crore for an auditorium, hanged himself at his home Tuesday after the Anthoor municipality refused to grant the certificate for his project.
Initiating the PIL against the municipality secretary, the district town planner and the secretary to the state government's local self government, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice A K Jayasankaran Nambiar termed as "painful" the news about the suicide of the businessman.
The court also said the "lethargic attitude" of authorities led to the incident.