HC closes contempt proceedings against IGP

The Madras High Court today closed contempt proceedings against an Inspector General of Police after the official tendered an unconditional apology for not complying with the court's earlier order to provide security to three advocates.
The court had on September 30 ordered contempt proceedings against IGP (Welfare) H M Jayaram for raising objections to its earlier order to provide security to advocates Dalit Tiger Ponnusamy, S R Rajagopalan and Aramugam, who came forward to assist the court against "illegal activities" of some advocates of Madurai.
The court had initiated suo motu contempt proceedings against the advocates.
The IGP had in his sub-application, filed on behalf of the Home Secretary, stated that the court ought to have obtained the threat assessment reports or ought to have heard the police department before passing such an order, "which is against the principles of natural justice."

Taking a serious view of the sub-application, the bench in its order had observed that it was shocking "to our judicial conscience while going through the averments made in the affidavit.."
"..We are of the considered view that the said averments are totally against the Constitutional mandate, which would attract contempt of court proceedings."
The bench then directed the registry to issue a notice to the IGP asking him why action should not be taken against him for disobeying the orders of the court.
However, Advocate General A L Somayaji, who appeared for the government, had requested the bench to keep the order in abeyance following which issue of notice to the IGP was kept in abeyance.