HC takes serious view of march inside its campus,

A 'silent' march seeking to "protect the Constitution" was taken out inside the Madras High Court premises in which three retired judges were among the participants despite orders banning any such activities, prompting the court on Friday to take a serious view of it and refer the matter to its Security Committee.

First bench comprising Chief Justice A P Sahi and Justice Subramonium Prasad described the incident as 'unfortunate' and said the three former high court judges joining the 'protest' caused more concern as it requested the Security Committee to take up the matter urgently and revert with its suggestions.

The march held by a group of lawyers on Thursday came amid protests calling for saving the Constitution and reading out the preamble of the Constitution by those agitating against the Citizenship Amendment Act at various places across the country in recent days.

Visuals telecast by TV channels showed several lawyers taking part in the march holding placards that read "Defend Constitution", "Equality" and the preamble of the Constitution.

The bench took up the matter suo motu (on its own) on the basis of a letter by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, High Court Security, to Registrar General that the procession was taken out by a group of advocates.

The march was organised on the occasion of the Martyrs Day to commemorate the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The high court had passed various orders in the past banning any meetings and processions with placards inside its premises.

The letter which mentioned the names of three retired judges -- D Hariparanthaman, Kannan and Akber Ali -- apart from other advocates said that a group of advocates including seniors assembled near Aavin Parlor point in the court campus, walked in procession and reached another gate and concluded inside the premises in front of a statue of B R Ambedkar.

It was further submitted by the Deputy Commissioner that the processionists were stopped and advised against their "unauthorised activities". But they refused to hear the advice the police officers who were on duty, the letter claimed.

The bench in its order said: "Having noticed the said incident reported, what is of more concern is that the incident involves and names three former High Court Judges of having entered the premises and joined the protest that was going on."