Madras High Court poser to officials on not obeying orders

CHENNAI: The Madras high court on Thursday heard two different contempt petitions against the state Adi Dravidar department in regard to issuance of community certificates for tribes who are endemic to Tamil Nadu.

The Bench comprising Justices Sathish K. Agnihotri and P. Devadass wondered that when Supreme Court and high court orders are not adhered to by officers, why such officers should be given that kind of responsible job. The bench wanted to know why responsible officers failed to understand the importance of the issue, but passing scandalous and baseless remarks against judiciary.

Hearing another related petition filed by advocate Radha Krishnan, Justice Agnihotri in a lighter vein said, “Every one in the state is purchased, advocates, Advocate-General and the judges, except one officer,” creating laughter among advocates. He posted the matter for further hearing on November 24.

According to Radha Krishnan, the bone of contention is that for several years children born to Kuruman tribal parents are not getting their caste certificates. The issue has been dragging on as officials are obsessed with the fact that tribes or adivasis live only in hillocks or forest areas. The Kuruman community members rear goats in plains and agricultural fields. To some extent, only Todas of the Nilgiris have the best physique displaying their tribal connect. Otherwise, due to growing civilisation differentiating tribes are highly difficult in Tamil Nadu where 30 tribes are endemic to the state, he told DC.

Additional advocate-general S. Gomathinayagam had a tough day persuading the Bench. The senior lawyer mostly maintained silence, whenever the bench pulled up the state Adi Dravidar department for its failures. His only intention was to safeguard officers from the wrath of the Bench and was seen providing a day-long lecture for the RDO and staffers from Adi Dravidar department on how to behave in court matters.

Advocates were seen circulating photocopies of DC report that exposed the alleged controversial audio recording excerpts of an IAS officer making baseless allegations against advocates and judges.

Advocate S. Doraisamy who also filed a contempt petition in this regard pleaded the bench to pull up the officials concerned. "Without any basis, no officer should dare to talk ill about the legal fraternity and such remarks only make a mockery" he informed the bench.

"We are not leaving this and the law is above all; passing unscrupulous statements is not fair and officials will have to answer", advocate S. Doraisamy whose name is also dragged into the controversial tape told DC.