The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has strongly criticised Tamil Nadu Law Minister S. Raghupathi in a contempt of court case linked to the Tirupparankundram hill “deepa thoon” (lamp pillar) dispute.
Justice G.R. Swaminathan referred to a newspaper report dated January 7 that quoted the minister as saying the district administration’s prohibitory order was meant to prevent lighting a lamp at the pillar, and that lighting should not be allowed at a “new place”. The report also carried an analogy attributed to him comparing designated places for cremation and for lighting the lamp.
The court said that once a single judge has permitted lighting the lamp on the hilltop, only a Division Bench of the High Court or the Supreme Court can alter that position. It held that neither a state minister nor any authority can publicly claim that permission cannot be granted after the court has allowed it, and stressed that parties must respect and follow judicial orders, pursuing appeal or review if they disagree.
Calling the reported remarks “worthy of severe condemnation”, the judge observed that it was “shocking” for a person holding the post of Law Minister to lack basic understanding of how court orders operate. The court noted that no denial had come from the minister so far, and inferred that his silence could be taken as a firm stand that the government would not permit lighting the lamp on the hilltop.
The judge said he was refraining from summoning the minister in person, pointing out that the Madurai Collector—who issued the prohibitory order—had clarified through an affidavit that there was no intention to nullify the court’s order. The central issue, the court said, remains whether the Collector’s order amounts to contempt, which is pending before the court.
