SC hears alleged contempt of court charges against TN CM, others

New Delhi, Nov 11 (UNI) The Supreme Court today began hearing arguments on whether contempt of court proceedings should be initiated against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, Union Shipping Minister T R Baalu, State Chief Secretary, State DGP and two others for alleged defiance of its directions not to enforce a Tamil Nadu bandh on October 1 last year for speedy completion of the Sethusamudram project.

Cousel for the petitioner Guru Krishan Kumar submitted before a bench comprising Justices B N Agarwal and G S Singhvi that only 61 buses plied on the roads of Tamil Nadu on October 1, 2007.

Mr Kumar, appearing for the AIADMK, headed by former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, submitted that the state has a fleet of over 18,000 transport buses in addition to 45,000 private buses.

According to the petitioner, State Chief Secretary L K Tripathi made a statement to a TV news channel, which has not been denied till date.

Mr Kumar also submitted that no return orders or press release was issued by the Centre informing the district headquarters in the state about the directions issued by the apex court in a special sitting on September 30, 2007, which was a Sunday.

According to the AIADMK, normal life in the state was fully disrupted and most parts wore a deserted look and in some parts, even essential services like hospitals, water, electricity and telecommunication were also disrupted.

The petition also said it was a clear case of wilful and deliberate defiance of the order of the court by the alleged contaminer.

The other two contaminers are the State Transport Minister and the State Transport Secretary.

Arguments will continue tomorrow.

UNI SC RJ GC2029