The Madras High Court on Tuesday refused to take up suo motu a public interest litigation petition on the basis of an activist’s claim that it was unconstitutional on the part of Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam to have participated in a one-day token fast organised by the ruling AIADMK in protest against the Centre’s failure in setting up the Cauvery Management Board in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice A. Selvam rejected a request made by G. Devarajan, who contended that Mr. Palaniswami and Mr. Panneerselvam had violated the oath of office taken by them under Article 188 of the Constitution by participating in Tuesday’s fast in Chennai.
‘Spare me the expense’
The Chief Justice told the activist that his plea would be examined by the court if he chose to file a petition, and that the court was not inclined to take suo motu action on the basis of oral mentioning made by him.
Though the activist pleaded with the court, saying that he would be spared the expenditure of ₹1,000 towards court fee if the court took suo motu notice of the issue, the judges refused to budge from their stand.
