The Tamil Nadu government on August 7 refused permission to bury DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi at the Marina. Instead, the government is ready to allot two acres of land near the Gandhi Mandapam on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Road to bury the departed leader.
The DMK has moved the Madras High Court against the decision. Madras High Court acting Chief Justice Huluvadi G. Ramesh has agreed to hear the plea by 10.30 p.m. on August 7, if the papers are in order. The Advocate-General has been informed about the hearing.
The Gandhi Mandapam on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Road in Chennai.
A communication issued by Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan cited legal hurdles and “several cases” for the refusal.
The DMK on August 7 had made a formal request to lay the party president to rest at the Marina beside the memorial of his mentor C. N. Annadurai. DMK principal secretary Duraimurugan said in Chennai that a request had also been made on behalf of Mr. Karunanidhi’s family when his son and party working president M.K. Stalin met Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswamy.
The release also announced a seven-day mourning period, cancellation of all government functions and flags to be flown half-mast in deference to the former Chief Minister. He will be given a state funeral, the release added.
