CoP case: HC reserves orders

Chennai, Mar 27 (UNI) Madras High Court today reserved orders on a batch of writ petitions, challenging the Election Commission order, transferring City Police Commissioner R Nataraj for showering praise on Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa when the model code of conduct was in force.

A division bench comprising Justice P K Misra and Justice F M Ibrahim Kalifullah reserved orders after hearing the arguments.

Besides the Tamil Nadu government, former Director Generals of Police W I Dawaram and Pon Paramaguru had moved the court, challenging the validity of the Commission's order.

On a complaint lodged by Union Minister A Raja, the Commission had directed the state government to transfer Mr Nataraj and send a panel of three names for the purpose of appointing his successor.

In its counter, Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta, who had filed a counter on behalf of the Election Commission, justified its action, saying that the order was issued to ensure free and fair poll in the state.

The state government argued that the Commission had no power to transfer the police officer, bypassing the state government. It could only refer the matter to the state government, it contended.

Mr Raja also impleaded himself in the case.

UNI XR/WS LR GC2013