No contempt can be initiated against striking govt teachers

: The Madras High Court Friday said no contempt can be initiated against government teachers in Tamil Nadu on strike under the JACTO-GEO banner, as it has not stayed the strike or declared it illegal.

The division bench, comprising Justices M Sathyanarayanan and P Rajamanickam stated this when counsel Naveen Kumar Murthi made an urgent mention to move contempt.

Making it clear that the Court had only directed them to return to work by January 25 in the interest of children, the bench said "it is for the government to monitor and take appropriate action against those who flout the order of the Court."