The Hindu : New Delhi News : SC issues notice to State on plea for CBI probe against Minister

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Tuesday, May 05, 2009
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SC issues notice to State on plea for CBI probe against Minister

J. Venkatesan

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Tamil Nadu Government on a special leave petition filed by a former special Deputy Collector seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation in a complaint against State Minister Suresh Rajan and others for alleged offences under the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

Charge sheet

A Bench of Justice Dalveer Bhandari and Justice Markandey Katju issued notice after hearing counsel C. Paramasivam, appearing for the petitioner, S. Janarthanan, a member of Scheduled Caste and who was working as special Deputy Collector (colour television) against the judgment of the Madras High Court dismissing his petition on the ground that charge sheet had already been filed in the case, excluding the Minister.

In his SLP, Mr. Janarthanan said the officers of the Revenue Department were engaged in the distribution of free colour TV sets.

TV sets

The personal assistant of the Minister, Suresh Rajan, wanted him to distribute 41 more TV sets to the list of persons in another area for which the petitioner refused and said the distribution would be made as per rules.

On hearing this, the petitioner alleged that the Minister abused him by calling his caste name.

Complaint

The petitioner preferred a complaint on July 23, 2008 before the Vadaseri police station against the Minister and others for offences under the SC/ST Atrocities (Prevention) Act.

Statement

Thereafter the Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi made a public statement that he was not relying on the accusation against the Minister Suresh Rajan, since he was a follower of Dravidian movement.

Thereafter he moved the Madurai Bench of the High Court for a CBI probe due to the interference of the Chief Minister. The High Court rejected the petition. The SLP is directed against this order dated October 20, 2008.

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