HC dismisses PIL questioning CM's participation

Madras High Court today dismissed a Public Interest Litigation which questioned participation of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in a function, where she would be sharing the dais with the Chief Justice of India.
The First Bench, comprising, Acting Chief Justice Rajesh Kumar Agrawal and Justice M Sathyanarayanan observed that the PIL filed by advocate V Arun was a 'Publicity Interest Litigation' and said sharing the dais would not send any wrong message to the public.
The bench, while rejecting the apprehension of the petitioner that sharing the dais with the person facing criminal cases will send a wrong message to the public was misconceived and reiterated that the High Court will render justice evenhandedly and not influenced by any event.

The bench said it was indispensable for the judiciary to work with the government in matters such as Lok Adalat, mediation, conciliation and alternative dispute resolution issues and said that it was inevitable.
When the bench sought the opinion of Advocate General A L Somayaji, appearing on behalf of the government, he furnished a judgement of Allahabad High Court and said the government has not been made as a party in the case.
He also submitted that the petition cast slur on the judiciary and it deserved severe condemnation.

Arun in his petition submitted that Jayalalithaa was an accused of criminal cases being adjudicated and prosecuted before various criminal courts under the jurisdiction of the Madras High Court and the apex court.

Sharing the dais with the judges would tend to give a wrong message or impression to the subordinate judiciary and also affect the faith among the public of the confidence in the Indian judiciary, he had submitted.
He also sought a direction from the court in any manner allowing, inviting or permitting any of the accused persons, whose cases were pending before any of the Courts to attend functions of inaugurating the new building for Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre and laying foundation Stone for a New Administrative Block for High Court.
Jayalalithaa along with Chief Justice of India P Sathasivam is scheduled to participate in the ADR Centre inauguration and foundation stone laying function for New Administrative Block of Madras High Court tomorrow.