Judge expresses displeasure at move to boycott courts

Justice F.M. Ibrahim Kalifulla of the Madras High Court on Tuesday expressed displeasure at the announcement by the joint action committee of advocates to abstain from courts on February 19.

The committee has called for the strike to protest against the State government not taking action against police officers responsible for the lathicharge on advocates on February 19 last year.

Mr. Justice Kalifulla expressed his view when he, along with Justice R. Banumathi, was hearing a contempt case against four police personnel — K. Radhakrishnan, the then Commissioner of Chennai Police; A.K. Viswanathan, Additional Commissioner; M. Ramasubramani, Joint Commissioner, Chennai (North); and Prem Anand Sinha, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Flower Bazaar — in connection with the February 19 incident.

The Judge said the High Court had repeatedly expressed itself against advocates abstaining from courts. The public were put to hardship because of such acts.

Mr. Ramasubramani and Mr. Prem Anand Sinha filed their counter affidavits on Tuesday tendering their apologies. Counsel for Mr. Radhakrishnan sought more time and the Bench posted the matter for further hearing on March 8.

In his counter, the then Joint Commissioner stated that he did not cause any commotion on February 19 in the guise of arresting advocates. It was the advocates who had gathered in large numbers who caused commotion.

Mr. Ramasubramani submitted that during the entire incident, he did not enter any court building. He was standing in the open area between the High Court Police Station and the City Civil Court-Small Causes Court buildings. He did not assault anyone that day. The police personnel did not enter the buildings to obstruct the course of justice but to disperse advocates who were using the court buildings to throw stones at the police who were standing near the High Court police station.

He prayed the court to accept his explanation and exonerate him of all charges. In the event of the court holding him guilty, the apologies tendered by him may be accepted.

Mr. Sinha said as a junior-level officer of a uniformed force, he obeyed the directions of his superior officers with the sole object of maintaining public peace. He said advocates started pelting the police with stones without provocation.