The Madras High Court on Friday stayed until further orders the Tamil Nadu government's decision to shift the Anna Centenary Library from Kotturpuram to the DPI campus at Nungambakkam.
The First Bench comprising Chief Justice M.Y.Eqbal and Justice T.S.Sivagnanam passed the order on three public interest litigation petitions. While one petitioner sought to forbid the authorities from shifting the library to any other place, another petitioner sought quashing the Cabinet resolution of November 2 and direct the authorities to form an apolitical committee to monitor the proper functioning of the library. The third petition sought to declare the government decision to shift the library and convert the Kotturpuram premises into a super specialty paediatric hospital as null and void.
The Bench said the issue whether shifting of the library was justified or not should be considered. It directed the Advocate-General to file a counter-affidavit.
The order said: “Put up these cases after six weeks. In the meantime and until further orders are passed, the decision taken by the government to shift the library shall remain stayed.”
