Madras HC dismisses PIL against minister in land grabbing case

The Madras High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition filed against Tamil Nadu Minister Veerapandi S Arumugam in connection with a land grabbing case in his home town Salem. Dismissing the petition, the First Bench, comprising Chief Justices A K Ganguly and K Chandru, said there was no prima facie to accuse the minister in the alleged land grabbing issue. The bench also accepted the inquiry report filed by the Superintendent of Police (SP) Salem. The PIL, filed by Indian Association of People’s Lawyers (IAPL) All India General Secretary S Manokaran submitted that 31 slum dwellers of the Angammal colony, Salem, were forcibly evicted by the minister and his henchmen and grabbed the land. While admitting the petition, the bench directed the SP Salem to inquire into the allegation and file a detailed report. When the matter came up for hearing on December 8, the bench refused to grant time to the petitioner’s counsel to file the rejoinder to the counter affidavit, which was filed by the minister two months back. The bench said though enough time has been given to the petitioner and his counsel to file their rejoinder, they did not do so and hence further time could not be given and the bench reserved orders to December 15. After the Bakrid holiday yesterday, this morning, the bench took up the case as first item and dismissed the petition. It may be recalled that the Minister was admitted in the ICU of Apollo Hospital last month for his ailment and he is taking treatment there. While he was admitted to the hospital, he was holding Agriculture portfolio. After he was admitted in the hospital, on the advice of the Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, the Governor Surjit Singh Barnala divested his portfolio to Transport Minister K N Nehru. Mr Arumugam is continuing as a minister without portfolio. Yesterday, Mr M Karunanidhi, called on Arumugam in the hospital and enquired about his health with the doctors.

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