The Hindu : National : No interference with panel on Sethu: court

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Thursday, Oct 25, 2007
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No interference with panel on Sethu: court

Legal Correspondent

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday told Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy that it would not interfere with the Committee of Eminent Persons constituted by the Union government to go into the Sethusamudram Shipping Channel Project as it was not appointed by the court.

Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, sitting with Justices R.V. Raveendran and Dalveer Bhandari, told Dr. Swamy, who made a mention for the early hearing of his application seeking a direction to scrap the committee: “We will not interfere, as we have not appointed this committee. You may file your objections before the committee.”

‘Raise objections in court’

The Chief Justice also told Dr. Swamy that he could raise all objections in the court when the case was taken up if the government relied on the report. Dr. Swamy submitted that the committee was to start the hearing on October 29.

Some of the documents sought by him were not furnished to him. Additional Solicitor-General Gopal Subramaniam, appearing for the Centre, assured the court that whatever documents sought would be given to Dr. Swamy.

In his application, Dr. Swamy alleged that some of the members were disqualified to be on the committee considering their background and views expressed.

He alleged that the committee was vitiated by virtue of bias exhibited by some of the members, including its chairperson S. Ramachandran.

He said the committee was also vitiated by non-inclusion of certain experts essential to address the criticisms, which led to the Union of India’s decision to reconsider all aspects of the project.

He prayed for a direction to quash the present committee and to set up a new one.

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