‘Implead bishop in church festival case’

In his petition, Thirumurugan from Thiruvadanai, had claimed that a new building was constructed at St Antony’s Church but fishermen from Tamil Nadu were not allowed to participate in the festival. He pleaded to the court to allow fishermen from Tamil Nadu to take part. The case was heard on Thursday and an affidavit was filed by the Central government. In the affidavit it was claimed that as per the agreement, there was no need of visa for fishermen to reach Katchatheevu and that people from Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu used to take part in the festival. As there are no basic amenities on the island, the Sri Lankan government would arrange facilities and Indian government would contribute a substantial amount for the festival. Usually the Bishop would recommend the names of those participating in the festival. Similarly the names of 20 fishermen were recommended and the Sri Lankan government had also sent invitations to them. All the 20 were also given no objection certificate by the Indian government, claimed the affidavit. Following the affidavit, the High Court directed the Bishop to be impleaded as one of the respondents in the case and adjourned the matter to December 19.

The Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) has impleaded the Collectors of all 32 districts in Tamil Nadu and has sent a notice to them seeking the status of government hospitals in their districts. 

In his petition, Thirumurugan from Ramanathapuram said that the District Head Quarters hospital in Ramanathapuram lacked basic amenities. On average, 2,000 patients would come to the hospital and 2,500 more seek treatment as out-patients. However, the hospital only had 23 wards and 510 beds. There was a shortage of doctors and nurses too. Moreover, there were no scan facilities in the hospital. The High Court must direct the government to provide basic amenities in the hospital, pleaded the petitioner. The case was heard on Thursday and Judges questioned the Public Prosecuter whether the government hospital in other districts had required facilities. When the PP informed that he was not aware of the situation, the petitioner’s counsel pleaded the Judges to impleade the collectors of all the districts in the case. Based on the plea, the Judges implicated the Collectors and served them notice. The case has been adjourned to December 15.