Tamil Nadu   

Police directed to round up anti-social elements

Staff Reporter

EC replies to petition filed by AIADMK

MADURAI: The Election Commission on Tuesday submitted before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court that it had instructed the police officials to "round up" anti-social elements moving around the Madurai Central Assembly constituency in view of the bypoll on Wednesday.

Further, a direction has been issued to vacate all outsiders from the constituency until the completion of the poll process. Three companies of Central paramilitary force had been deployed to maintain law and order.

The submissions were made in reply to a public interest litigation petition filed by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.

A Division Bench comprising Justices P.K. Misra and G. Rajasuria closed the PIL petition after recording the stand taken by the Election Commission.

Earlier, the court witnessed an intense war of words between Advocate- General R. Vidudhalai, and N. Jothi, counsel for the AIADMK.

War of words

Arguing the case, the AG claimed it was a "political interest litigation." He said the former Chief Minister had stooped to the level of making irresponsible remarks against the Chief Minister, his elder son and other family members. Immediately, Mr. Jothi objected to the statements and said, "he is converting this court into a political stage."

To this, the AG replied, "I expect some decency. He must know how to behave when I am on my legs. His days are over." However, the judges interfered to calm down the situation. Carrying on with his arguments, AIADMK counsel alleged that a few police officers along with some criminals spearheaded the campaign for the bypoll.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Jayalalithaa's claim on disposal of files contested
Officers' transfer by EC is routine: Karunanidhi
PMK to implead itself in case challenging reservations
Order on CBI probe into paper leak upheld
1 lakh security personnel for civic polls
10-year RI for AIADMK candidate
"West Bengal police can execute warrant against Maoist leader"
Centres for computer training soon: Vijayakant
DPA confident of people's votes, says Krishnasswamy
"Decision to join DPA not hasty"
Civil judge compulsorily retired
BSNL introduces new technology
Police directed to round up anti-social elements
Briefly

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu