Manickavel must obey SC order: HC

A division bench comprising Justices R Mahadevan and P D Audikesavalu, while observing that it cannot pass orders on memos seeking his extension and that at best can record it, directed Ponn Manickavel to abide by the apex court’s direction to hand over the probe documents and files to the officer now heading the Idol Wing-Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The bench, on hearing arguments moved on behalf of Ponn Manickavel that the apex court had only stayed the contempt petition and that it had refused to intervene in a pending case regarding the extension of Manickavel’s tenure, sought the counsel to explain as to how a special officer who has been directed to hand over the case files can probe the cases in the event of an extension being offered.

The Additional Advocate General (AAG), Balaji Srinivasan-appearing for the Tamil Nadu government, submitted that an interim stay on the contempt petition meant that all related pleas lying within the contempt petition is deemed to be stayed. The bench, on clarifying that no orders can be passed on a memo and that an application ought to be moved for extension, directed the counsel to file a written submission of the same and obtain due clarification regarding the plea seeking extension. Thereafter, the bench adjourned the case without mentioning a date.