CCB gets 4-month deadline in ex-minister case

The first bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice R Mahadevan on perusing the status report filed in a sealed cover, said “The Investigation officer has requested a further time of four months to complete the investigations. Needful be done and the final report be filed within fifteen days thereafter. In the eventuality of any delay for any reason, extension of time should be sought from this court by moving an application.” 

Baskar, a former staff of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation, Chennai, had alleged that he had handed over Rs 4.5 crore to the personal assistant of Senthil Balaji on the promise of obtaining jobs to certain persons in his village in the transport department. He further claimed that despite a long wait, neither the promised jobs had come through nor the money returned. But when he approached the former Minister for money, mere threats emanated and the police who initially refused to even register an FIR imprisoned him in a different pretext, merely to browbeat and harass him. It may be noted that Baskar’s plea at the Madras High Court seeking to reject the nomination of Senthil Balaji in Aravakurichi pending enquiry in a criminal case was rejected on October 26 on the basis that no interference can be caused to Senthil Balaji’s nomination merely because an FIR is registered. However, the bench had directed the investigating agency to file a progress report on the criminal case pending against him.

Experts say no to  soaps, oils in Courtallam falls 

The expert panel appointed by the Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) had unanimously opposed the usage of soaps, oils and other chemicals at Courtallam falls.

A petition was filed by traders of Courtallam claiming that the ban of use of soaps and oils at falls was unscientific and they had lost their livelihood. The High Court appointed an expert panel to go into the details and the panel unanimously concluded that usage of soaps and other chemicals could destroy the nature of water and change the alkaline level of the water making it unusable both for drinking and irrigation. When Judges asked about usage of ‘seekkai’ and oil in the falls the expert panel also said a no to them.

Parking case closed on police assurance

The Madras High Court has closed the plea seeking to stall the haphazard parking on NSC Bose Road on assurance from police that stringent action is being taken against offenders.

The first bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice R Mahadevan on perusing the report filed by the police and recording its assurance, said “As per the report wherever the vehicle numbers are visible action has been taken. The parking’s stated to have been streamlined and assurance given that wherever violations of regulation takes place stringent action would be taken.” The action by police is in sequel to Madras High Court slamming it based on a plea moved by social activist Traffic Ramaswamy along with photographs, which revealed that government vehicles were the main offenders in the haphazard parking on NSC Bose Road. The bench then had sought the police to file a status report. It observed “it appears that even though the parking is full, cars have been parked parallel on the road. Unfortunate part is that some of these cars are flag cars or with blue light suggesting they are official cars, where a greater discipline would be expected.”