CHENNAI: The allegations levelled by residents of K.V.K. Kuppam near Tiruvottiyur against Fisheries Minister K.P.P. Swamy were false, his senior counsel told the Madras High Court on Wednesday.

The public interest petition, alleging harassment of villagers by the Minister and his kin, had been filed due to "political rivalry," the court was told.

When the petition, filed by K. Anjappan of K.V.K. Kuppam, came up before the First Bench, comprising Chief Justice A.P. Shah and Justice K. Chandru, senior advocate T.R. Rajagopalan submitted that the Fisheries Minister had not been served notice so far.

The Bench adjourned the matter to August 10 to allow the Minister to file his counter-affidavit. Government Pleader Raja Kalifulla said the appointment of a District Judge to go into the matter would not serve the purpose as both sides would come and make representations before the Judge, leading to confusion. He maintained that more patrol parties had been sent to K.V.K. Kuppam area and more police personnel deployed.

However, A.L. Somayaji, senior counsel for the petitioner, said the claim was not true. When he said two women attacked by the Minister's kin too had filed separate affidavits, the Government Pleader said the incident had nothing to do with the PIL.

He also claimed that some of those who had filed affidavits were not residents of K.V.K. Kuppam. Before adjourning the matter, the Bench said present and former Ministers could join hands and visit the affected areas to instil confidence among the residents.

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