The Hindu : Front Page : Court notice to Karunanidhi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 30, 2007
ePaper

Front Page

Front Page

Court notice to Karunanidhi

J. Venkatesan

On contempt plea for alleged violation of order against bandh on October 1

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, Chief Secretary L.K. Tripathy and three others on a contempt petition filed by the AIADMK for allegedly violating a court order prohibiting the enforcement of a bandh in the State on October 1.

The court also issued notice to Union Minister T.R. Baalu for his alleged remarks criticising the judiciary.

A Bench comprising Justices B.N. Agrawal and P.P. Naolekar, however, dispensed with the personal appearance of the alleged contemnors for the present.

Earlier, counsel for the petitioner Guru Krishnakumar said there was wilful disobedience of the September 30 apex court order prohibiting enforcement of the bandh. For, normal life was paralysed.

Additional Solicitor-General Vikas Singh, appearing for the Chief Secretary, pleaded that for the time being no notice be issued and “We will file our reply.”

Justice Agrawal, however, said the notice would have to go. “You show cause, file your replies. If we are satisfied, we will dismiss this petition.”

Senior counsel T.R. Andhyarujina, appearing for the Chief Minister, said personal appearance of the alleged contemnors could be dispensed with.

Earlier, when Mr. Krishnakumar said buses were not run on the bandh day despite an assurance by the Chief Secretary, Justice Agrawal asked counsel, “Was there any order to depot managers not to take out buses?” Counsel said, “There was no written order. Everything was done on oral instructions.”

To another question from Justice Agrawal how the Chief Minister could be held responsible when certain political parties passed a resolution for the bandh, counsel said, “As Chief Minister of the State, he had a duty and responsibility to implement the directions of this court. He is guilty of committing contempt for his inaction to ensure implementation of the court directions.”

“Will adhere to order”

Chennai Special Correspondent reports:

Asked about the Supreme Court notice, Mr. Karunanidhi said he had only heard about it. “I have heard that I do not have to appear in person in the court and that a notice was being issued.”

Asked how he would approach the notice, issued at a time when hartals and bandhs were being called and observed regularly in Kerala, the Chief Minister said that “because the court is seized of the matter, I do not want to enter into a debate on this.”

Mr. Karunanidhi said he would adhere to what the court directed.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page