The former Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi, DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin and the former Minister, Durai Murugan, have been summoned to appear before the Regupathi Commission of Inquiry on September 18 in connection with the alleged irregularities in the construction of the new Secretariat-Assembly complex on the Omandurar Government Estate here.
When they appear before Justice (retd.) R. Regupathi, they will be presented with a questionnaire, according to an official source on the Commission. They might be granted time to submit their written response.
Pointing out that 24 government servants, including several IAS officers, appeared before the panel in the last three months and submitted their response, the source says the procedure applied to the government servants is being extended to the DMK leaders who fall under the category of public servants as they were involved in decisions concerning the construction.
This has been done under Section 8B of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, which stipulates that the panel give a reasonable opportunity of being heard to those who may be affected by the inquiry.
Documents submittedThe source adds that hundreds of documents and a few reports have been submitted, and the persons concerned are allowed to peruse them.
However, advocates representing Mr. Karunanidhi, who is in his early 90s, term “harassment” the Commission’s directive.
They contend that a person may be represented by a legal practitioner or, with the permission of the Commission, by any other person.
“When the Justice K.P. Sivasubramaniam Commission (2006-2010) probed the alleged land grabbing at Siruthavur, it did not summon Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. Why should the Regupathi Commission target Mr. Karunanidhi,” the advocates ask.
The official source, however, say each commission can frame its own procedure, and the law provides for it.
