The Hindu : Notification, a knee-jerk reaction: AG

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 29, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Notification, a knee-jerk reaction: AG

By A. Subramani

CHENNAI APRIL 28. The Union Government's notification on demolition or reconstruction of public use buildings in Coastal Regulation Zones is a `knee-jerk reaction' to the State's decision to demolish Queen Mary's College buildings here, the Advocate-General, N. R. Chandran, told the Madras High Court.

He alleged mala fide in the notification and said the Environment Minister had taken a personal interest in the matter. According to Mr. Chandran, the move would also amount to contempt because when the court is seized of a matter, and even reserved its orders, the Government should not come out with any order which would directly or indirectly affect the outcome of the litigation.

The Chief Justice B. Subhashan Reddy, who earlier pulled up the QMC principal and threatened to initiate suo motu contempt proceedings against her for having rescheduled examinations even while the case was on, and that too without the knowledge of the court, permitted the Advocate-General to file an additional affidavit.

A Bench comprising the Chief Justice and Justice F.M. Ibrahim Kalifulla, then directed the QMC authorities to open the hostel a day before the college was reopened for the academic year. It also permitted the authorities to close the hostel after the last examination was conducted. The matter has been posted to June 25 for further hearing.

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