Chief secy will be summoned if TN govt doesn't comply with directions on idol theft cases: HC

The Madras High Court today warned the Tamil Nadu government that the chief secretary would be summoned if it did not comply within two weeks with the court's directions on providing necessary infrastructure to the idol wing police.
Justice R Mahadevan flayed officials for their lethargic attitude and posted the matter for further hearing to March 23.
The matter relates to pleas moved by R Venkataraman and advocate Elephant G Rajendran seeking transfer of investigation of all pending cases of idol thefts to the CB-CID.
The judge had earlier directed IGP A G Pon Manickvel and his team to continue the probe in the cases and also issued 21 directions to authorities.

On January 4, the court had warned the state government that it would order a CBI probe into the pending idol theft cases, if the authorities failed to cooperate and provide proper infrastructure to the court-appointed idol wing police.
Justice Mahadevan made the oral observation while censuring officials of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department for not complying with the court's directions to provide necessary infrastructure to the idol wing.
It had earlier ordered transfer of all pending cases to a court in Kumbakonam for speedy disposal.
The high court had also overruled the transfer of Manickavel out of the idol wing police and directed the officer to head it again.