The Hindu : National : Apex court to hear AIADMK’s contempt plea on October 29

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Saturday, Oct 13, 2007
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Apex court to hear AIADMK’s contempt plea on October 29

J. Venkatesan

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday directed that the contempt petition filed by the AIADMK against Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary L.K. Tripathi and others for allegedly violating the order prohibiting the enforcement of a bandh in the State on October 1 be listed for hearing on October 29.

When AIADMK counsel Guru Krishnakumar sought an early hearing, Justices B.N. Agrawal and V.S. Sirpurkar asked, “What is the urgency in this matter?”

Additional Solicitor General Vikas Singh, appearing for the Chief Secretary, raised a preliminary objection to AIADMK counsel ‘mentioning’ the matter when the petition was listed for October 29. “Our anxiety is that this court is used for political purposes.”

Counsel’s plea

Justice Agrawal told Mr. Krishnakumar: “You have already brought to our notice the alleged violation. We made the [oral] observations [on October 1] based on what you said.” Counsel submitted, “What we have filed is something more than what I said.”

Justice Agrawal said: “You may be right if the facts are correct. It may be a sensational matter to you. We treat all matters alike. You want to mention before us because this is a sensational matter. If there is violation, suitable orders can be passed. We have to read the papers and apply our mind. If a case is made out, we may issue notice, otherwise we will dismiss it.”

Counsel then told the court, “We wanted to inform you about the happenings at the earliest. There is no other intention.”

The petition, filed by AIADMK presidium chairman E. Madhusudhanan, has also named as respondents/contemnors Director General of Police P. Rajendran, Transport Secretary Debendranath Sarangi, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and Transport Minister K.N. Nehru.

It has named Union Minister T.R. Baalu as a respondent for allegedly making certain remarks criticising the judiciary.

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