HC orders on Nataraj case on March 31

Chennai, Mar 30 (UNI) Madras High Court will pronounce orders tomorrow 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 bench comprising Mr Justice P K Misra and Mr Justice F M Ibrahim Kalifullah, which reserved orders after hearing elaborate arguments on March 27, will deliver the judgment tomorrow.

Besides the Tamil Nadu government, former Directors General 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.

Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta, who had filed a counter on behalf of the EC, justified its action, saying 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 it. The EC could only refer the matter to the state government, it contended. Mr Raja impleaded himself in the case.

UNI XR/WS MSJ DS1610