Idol theft cases: Govt to file memo in respect of compliance of hc directions

Chennai: The Madras high court has directed the state government to file a memo in respect of compliance of its directions issued earlier in connection with idol theft cases, probed by the court-appointed special officer A.G.Ponn Manickavel.

A division bench comprising Justices R.Mahadevan and P.D.Audikesavalu gave the directive and adjourned by two weeks, the hearing on the contempt petition filed by Ponn Manickavel, which sought to punish the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, DGP and Additional DGP, Idol Wing for willfully disobeying the order passed by the court on November 30, 2018.

When the petition came up for hearing on Friday, advocate V.Selvaraj appearing for the petitioner submitted that the authorities have willfully disobeyed the orders passed by the court on November 30, 2018.

Citing several instances, he said no co-operation was extended to the special investigation team headed by the petitioner, no proper funds were allocated for smooth functioning of the team, some of the cases were not transferred to the SIT and the higher police officials were interfering with the investigation conducted by the SIT.

Vehemently opposing the plea, additional advocate general P.H.Arvindh Pandian said the very maintainability of the petition has to be decided first. Thereafter, he would make his submissions on the main petition.

Pointing out that it had earlier issued 10 directions and it was affirmed by the Supreme Court and one of the directions was to file compliance report, the bench directed the AAG to file a memo in respect of compliance of the directions.