Thursday, June 14, 2007

June 14, 2007 - Will Courts Deliver the Justice?

Today was the second date of hearing on a PIL filed by Dr. Subramanyan Swamy and others in Madras High Court. On the earlier date of this case, as was reported here, this is what had happened:

when the petition of Swamy came up for hearing today before a division bench of Justices Jothimani and Sudhakar, he himself appeared and the Union government was represented by Assistant Solicitor general Wilson. As the Centre did not file counter petition, the case was adjourned to 14 June.


And, today when the court met for that hearing again, this is what happened, reports Dr. S. Kalyanaraman:

Though the previous bench had posted for hearing on 14th June, the three petitions of Dr. Subramanian Swamy and Shri Rama Gopalan were NOT listed today in the two-judge bench of Chief Justice Shah and Justice Jothimani.

So, a mention was made by the counsels (Dr. Swamy and Shri TV Ramanujam) as soon as the court 1 opened.

The bench asked about the case in Supreme Court. Dr. Swamy responded that the SC case was on environmental issues while his petitions were on different grounds, concerned about arbitrariness in decision and that Rama Setu should be deemed to be an ancient monument. The urgency was that the Rama Setu was being destroyed, as the Sethusamudram website claims 6% progress in the bridge segment. Dr. Swamy contented that no response has come from Min. of Culture. Govt. counsel said that a counter has been filed.

The petitions of Dr. Swamy and Shri Rama Gopalan were listed for hearing on Monday (18th) and Tuesday (19th) respectively.

The proceedings lasted 3 minutes.

Indian Court rooms have not yet delivered any judgement in Ram Janma Bhumi case in over 60 years that the case is going on! Would they deliver justice in Ram Karma Bhumi case now? No harm in being optimistic!

kritam may dakhshine haste, jayo may savyaahitah! - "Effort is in my right hand, and victory in my left."
Atharva Veda (7.52.8)

hits since Chaitra 7, 2064 Vikram (March 26, 2007)