CHENNAI: The First Bench of the Madras High Court has dismissed a PIL petition for a directive to the Centre to deploy para-military forces in Karnataka to give protection to the lives and property of Tamils living there in view of the ‘bandh’ called by certain groups on April 12, based on the recommendations of various human rights organisations in the country.The Supreme Court is seized of the Cauvery water dispute. Hence, it would not be appropriate for this court to issue an order, as prayed for by the petitioner, the bench of Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Abdul Quddhose said on Tuesday.
The bench was dismissing a plea from KV Elenkeeran of Kandamangalam village in Cuddalore.
The court might have directed the authorities in Tamil Nadu to take appropriate steps to protect law and order if there was any apprehension or breach in the State. But, unfortunately, the petitioner has expressed apprehension relating to law and order in Karnataka. “We need not assume that the Government of India or the appropriate State authorities will not take steps to protect law and order or untoward incidents,” the bench added.
According to petitioner, the 120 year-old Cauvery water dispute was resolved by the Supreme Court in February last. Even though the share of water for Tamil Nadu was reduced in the judgment, the government and the people had taken a decision to put pressure on the Union government to form the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) within six weeks in terms of the Supreme Court judgment. However, Karnataka government and its people have resisted formation of CMB from the beginning. Pro-Karnataka organisations have called for a State-wide shutdown on April 12. Past experience indicate brutal attack on Tamils in Karnataka, petitioner contended.
Vijay Antony moves HC to vacate stay on his film
Chennai:Actor Vijay Antony has moved the Madras High Court with a plea to vacate the interim stay on the release of his Tamil feature film ‘Kaali’. The bench of Justices R Subbiah and Audikesavulu, before which the appeal came up for hearing on Tuesday, adjourned the hearing by a day. A single judge on April 6 passed the interim order staying release of the film on April 11, on a plea moved by William Alexander, proprietor of Picture Box Company against Fathima Vijay Antony, proprietor of Vijay Antony Pictures. According to Alexander, he was the distributor of Antony’s film ‘Annadurai’. Within a week, theatre owners pulled the film out due to poor box office collection. When the issue was brought to the knowledge of Antony, he allegedly promised to give the distribution rights of ‘Kaali’ at a lesser price to Alexander. An agreement was singed and Alexander paid `50 lakh as advance. As Antony failed to keep his promise, Alexander moved HC, which granted stay on April 6.
Rs 73 lakh aid for soldier injured in road accident
Chennai: Holding that when an injured soldier, who became totally immobile in an accident, had offered protection to people and thereby respect to Mother India as one of its sincere child, it is the imperative duty that the law of the nation must also respect him, the Madras High Court has enhanced the compensation from a meagre `4.57 lakh to a whopping `73 lakh. A division bench of Justices S Vimala and Justice S Ramathilagam, which enhanced the compensation, also observed that it is high time that necessary training is imparted to judicial officers regarding proper use of ‘multiplier’ method, so that the litigant public is not put to undue stress and delay and they must be able to reap the benefit of the benevolent legislation in time.