Orders reserved in local body poll row

The first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar, after going through the report filed by the TNSEC in a sealed cover about the possible election schedule, also ascertained from both the Advocate General and TNSEC’s counsel as to whether they were in consultation with each other on the issue before reserving its final orders.

It may be noted that during the earlier hearing on July 26, the bench had orally asked the SEC as to how long would it take to hold the election assuming that prevailing impediments like census, delimitation and other aspects are out of the way. It had sought TNSEC to submit a tentative schedule by August 1. 

Even then, senior counsel B Kumar appearing for the TNSEC had submitted that it requires as many as 50 days from the date of issuing the notification to the elected members assuming office. 

Justice N Kirubakaran had on October 4, 2016 quashed the election slated to be held on October 17 and 19, 2016, citing irregularities in the notification process.

Even as the HC had directed Dairy Minister KT Rajenthra Bhalaji not to issue any disparaging statements against private milk producers, counsels appearing for the private milk producers informed the court that a media trial was under way in this regard and the minister’s counsel had spoken to the media alleging that the milk supplied by them was sub-standard. 

Justice CV Karthikeyan, before whom the civil suits filed by three firms came up for hearing, posted the matter for further hearing to Wednesday and directed the counsels appearing for the private milk producers to furnish the documents pertaining to the alleged media trial. The judge also held that the court will not hesitate to act if its order has been violated.