In a significant relief to DMK president M. Karunanidhi, the Madras High Court on Wednesday dispensed with his personal appearance for two weeks before the Justice R. Regupathi Commission of Inquiry appointed to go into the alleged irregularities in the construction of the New Secretariat Complex on Anna Salai here.
The commission issued summons on September 2 for the appearance of Mr. Karunanidhi on Thursday (September 18).
Justice V. Ramasubramanian passed the interim order on a petition by the 91-year-old leader who challenged the very appointment of the commission and the summons issued to him.
Mr. Karunanidhi said that the issue of summons to him was “nothing but a personal bias which the second respondent (Mr. Justice Regupathi) has developed against me.” This was strengthened not only in the issue of summons, but also by the commission’s subsequent conduct. When his counsel informed the commission that the copies of the affidavit as well as the documents which were put against him (Karunanidhi) had not been furnished in order to file a detailed reply, the commission was “very particular in my appearance to answer the questionnaire prepared by him.”
The petitioner said the Commission of Inquiry being a fact-finding body entrusted with judicial powers, not only should justice be done, but it must also be seen to be done. This could be ensured only if Mr. Justice Regupathi was relieved and another retired judge was posted in his place.
When the matter came up, counsel for the commission submitted that Mr. Karunanidhi need not appear in person in response to the summons and that even the questionnaire was permitted to be filled up by his counsel.
The judge adjourned the case by two weeks.
