HC orders Chennai Police Commissioner's presence in contempt

Flaying the attitude of officers in not complying with judicial orders, the Madras High Court today summoned city Commissioner of Police S George to appear before it in a contempt petition.
Justice N Kirubakaran ordered the presence of the Commissioner on a petition by Pon Thangavel for allegedly not complying with the court's earlier directive to provide him protection.
"If the senior officers themselves did not obey the order of the court, what about their subordinate officers. How they will respect the court orders?" he asked.
The court had ordered protection to Thangavel after he filed a petition seeking action against city corporation councillor V Annamalai for declaring in his electoral affidavit that he does not have any property though he and his family owned 12 immovable assets.

The Income Tax department, which was ordered to hold an inquiry into assets owned by Annamalai, recently submitted a report stating that the councillor and his family owned properties worth Rs 4 crore.
Following this the court had in January directed the State Election Commission to take action against Annamalai.

Complaining that protection had not been given, Thangavel filed this petition seeking to punish the officials for contempt of court.
After the judge ordered the appearance of the Commissioner, state Advocate General R Muthukumaraswamy prayed the court to exempt him.
Refusing to review his order, the judge said once the court makes up its mind, personal appearance of the person concerned was mandatory.

"Let him appeartomorrowor the day after, at his convenience. What is the problem?" the judge asked, adding the court was not a place of sin and the commissioner need not consider appearing before the court as a prestige issue.
The judge also expressed his surprise at the appearance of a battery of government advocates and senior law officers in the matter.
"Why so many senior law officers, including the Advocate General and Additional Advocate General, should represent the case," he said.
With the judge sticking to his order, the AG said he would ascertain the date of appearance of the Commissioner and inform the court.