Thaindian News

New Delhi, Apr 1 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the contempt petition filed against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and Union Transport Minister TR Baalu by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in connection with the October 1, 2007 state shut-down.

A bench of Justices BN Aggarwal and GS Singhvi dismissed the petition on the ground that the AIADMK failed to establish the allegation.

The AIADMK had filed a contempt petition alleging that the Tamil Nadu government had organised the state shut-down in support of their demand for the speedy completion of the Setusamudram project despite the apex court restraining it from doing so.

Baalu was accused of making derisive allegations against judges of the Supreme Court, questioning their integrity.

On March 25, the Supreme Court had reserved its verdict in the case, which also involved four others.

The apex court, in a special sitting on a Sunday, had issued show cause notices to Karunanidhi, Baalu, State Chief Secretary LK Tripathi, State DGP, the State Transport Minister and the State Transport Secretary for not following the directions of the court.

Baalu had made derogatory remarks against Justice Aggarwal for passing the orders on a Sunday.

While reserving its verdict, the SC had reacted to Baalu’s remarks saying, “It shows utter ignorance of the man (Baalu). For the last 50 years, courts function on Sundays also. People who are governing the system don’t know its functioning. They are intellectual giants.”

The apex court had also held that it has become a practice for many persons holding high positions to insult the judiciary. (ANI)