The Parangipettai Judicial Magistrate R. Gomathi Sakthi Sorupam, who issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, has been placed under suspension by an order issued by the Madras High Court following corruption charges.
The Judicial Magistrate created a sensation on January 4 by ordering issuance of the NBW against the Chief Minister and calling for her personal appearance before the Court on February 16 in connection with a case relating to filing of nominations for the 2001 Assembly elections.
Chidambaram Judicial Magistrate-II Eswaramurthy has been made in-charge of the Parangipettai Magistrate Court.
According to a source, when Ms. Sorupam was serving as Judicial Magistrate-V in Salem a complaint was preferred by A. Selvam, representing M/s Nirmala & Co, Salem, against her alleging corruption and alteration of date in court records, with the Madras High Court and the Department of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption.
Though the Administrative Committee of the High Court called for her explanation several times, this was not forthcoming and hence the suspension notice, dated January 20, 2011, was issued by Registrar General of High Court Chockalingam.
Cuddalore Judicial Magistrate Shanmuganathan, who received the suspension order, went to Ms. Sorupam's residence to serve the notice. It was locked and he pasted it on the door. A source said that the High Court has directed her to stay in Parangipettai and obtain prior permission before leaving the place.
Her suspension comes at a time when the case relating to the non-bailable warrant ordered by her against Ms. Jayalalithaa is scheduled to come up before the District Sessions Court Judge for hearing on January 23.
In her order of NBW against Ms. Jayalalithaa in the election-related case, the Magistrate had noted: “Accused called absent — NBW (non bailable warrant) pending — SC matter stayed — call on 16-02-2012.”
Soon, a recall petition was filed by the Chief Minister's counsel A. Sankaran of Tindivanam in the Parangipettai Magistrate Court but it was rejected. Mr. Sankaran moved the District Sessions Court and obtained a stay of the magistrate order.
The case against Ms. Jayalalithaa filed by the then Returning Officer of Bhuvanagiri Assembly Constituency A.G. Selvamani in 2007 alleged that she violated provisions of the People's Representation Act by filing nominations from four places — Andipatti, Bhuvanagiri, Krishnagiri and Pudukottai — for contesting the Assembly elections in 2001.
