Writ of Quo Warranto against TN CM, Minister

Chennai, Feb 08 (UNI) A writ of Quo Warranto was today filed against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy, seeking to show cause under what authority they were holding their post and seeking to remove them pursuant to their criticism of the judiciary and judges.

The petition, filed by Traffic Ramaswamy, is likely to come up for hearing tomorrow.

In his petition, Mr Ramasamy submitted that Mr Karunanidhi and Mr Veerasamy had taken the oath before the Governor that they had to obey and maintain the Constitution of India. ''Unfortunately by violating the oath of office, both of them, in a marriage function, openly criticised the judiciary, particularly judges. This interference in the administration of the court, was virtually a warning to the judges of the High Court,'' he contended, alleging that they warned the judges not to transgress limits and hold 'Katta Panchayats' (Kangaroo courts).

''Their comments on the judiciary were a danger to democracy and damaged the reputation of judges. With some ulterior motive, they had made such scurrilous allegations, he added.

UNI