The Hindu : New Delhi News : Notice to government on release of rice smuggler

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 29, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

New Delhi

New Delhi

Notice to government on release of rice smuggler

J. Venkatesan

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Tamil Nadu government on a special leave petition seeking the release of a ‘black marketeer’ detained under the Prevention of Blackmarketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act for smuggling rice meant for the poor under the public distribution system.

A vacation Bench of Justice C.K. Thakker and Justice L.S. Panta issued notice after hearing counsel, K.K. Mani, appearing for the petitioner and posted the matter for further hearing on June 9.

The prosecution case was that the lorry of one K. Palaniselvam of Kovilpatti, Thoothukudi district, was intercepted on April 26, 2007 on the Tirunelveli-Thoothukudi main road and it was found that the vehicle was carrying 242 bags of boiled rice meant for the PDS. It was stated that three other cases of smuggling of rice were registered against him.

By an order dated January 12, 2008, Palaniselvam was detained with a view to preventing him from smuggling rice. The detenu’s close friend Robinson filed a habeas corpus petition before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court seeking to quash the detention order. The High Court by its judgment dated April 17 dismissed the petition. The SLP said that the detenu was one of the Directors of a company, Ananthammal Kasi Exporters, and the rice seized was meant for export to Sri Lanka. It said that sample of the seized rice was not sent for examination to find out whether that was meant for the PDS. It said that two representations were sent on behalf of the detenu to the detaining authority and to the State government.

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

New Delhi