The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has issued a stern warning to four senior officials, stating that contempt charges will be formally framed against them if they fail to provide a satisfactory explanation for not complying with a court order related to the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam festival lamp.
Court's Ultimatum to Officials
Justice G R Swaminathan, presiding over the case on Friday, made it clear that the contemnors had not shown sufficient cause as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated. The judge explicitly stated, "Unless proper cause is shown, charges will be framed... on Feb 2." The officials involved include Madurai District Collector K J Praveen Kumar, Police Commissioner J Loganathan, the Executive Officer of Subramaniya Swamy Temple Yagna Narayanan, and Madurai South DCP A G Inigo Divyan.
Officials' Defense and State's Stand
During the hearing, which addressed contempt petitions filed for non-compliance of an earlier court directive concerning the lighting of the deepam atop Thiruparankundram hill, the Collector and the DCP informed the court that they had acted entirely on their own. Meanwhile, the state government informed the court that Letters Patent Appeals have been filed against the contempt proceedings. These appeals are pending and are yet to be taken up by a division bench of the High Court.
Next Steps and Hearing Date
The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on February 6. The court's firm stance sets the stage for a significant legal confrontation, emphasizing the judiciary's insistence on adherence to its orders. The case revolves around the traditional lighting ceremony, a event of great cultural and religious significance in the region, which the court had previously ordered to be conducted.
