Chennai: The Madras high court has permitted DMK working president M.K. Stalin to visit and inspect water bodies and tanks in the state, accompanied by 25 persons, with prior information to the district collector and superintendent of police concerned.
Disposing of a petition from R. Girirajan, Justice M. Duraiswamy said the petitioner shall send a written communication to the district collector and superintendent of police concerned prior to the visit of the leader of the Opposition. The petitioner shall also ensure that no untoward incident or unpleasant incidents disrupting public peace and tranquility happen at the time of the visit of Stalin. It is the duty of the district collector and superintendent of police concerned to give sufficient police protection to maintain law and order at the time of inspection by the leader of the Opposition, the judge added.
The judge directed the home secretary and DGP to give suitable directions to the district collectors and superintendent of police/commissioner of police concerned for giving adequate police protection at the time of the visit of Stalin.
The judge said additional advocate general contended that the leader of the Opposition can visit any place in the state, except Konganapuram in Edappadi taluk. If he was prevented from visiting the said place without assigning any legal and valid reasons, it affects the personal liberty of the individual, which cannot be permitted by the court of law, the judge added.
The judge said admittedly, there was no case registered against Stalin by the police so far while inspecting the water bodies and tanks. “When the respondents (authorities) are saying that the leader of the Opposition can visit any place in the state, except Konganapuram, it only proves the mala fide intention of the Salem district collector and superintendent of police in not permitting him to visit Konganapuram and it is not a prohibited area for the leader of the Opposition to visit”, the judge added.
