Tamil Nadu on Monday informed the Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench that it has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against directions related to lighting the ‘Deepathoon’ (lamp pillar) at Thiruparankundram.
The matter was heard by a division bench of Justices N. Sathish Kumar and M. Jothiraman. The bench had earlier asked the State to state its position by June 22 and had extended an interim stay on a single judge’s order that the lamp be lit.
Appearing for the State, Additional Advocate General Balasubramaniam said a practice followed for about 100 years should not be altered by introducing a new procedure. He also told the court that both the petitioner Ram Ravikumar and the State have moved the Supreme Court, and that the appeals are expected to come up for hearing soon.
The judges questioned why there was hesitation in implementing court directions and whether the parties wanted to keep the dispute pending without arriving at a compromise. Senior counsel Mohan, for the dargah and Wakf Board side, said they had earlier expressed willingness for a settlement, but alleged it was rejected by the petitioner’s side.
Counsel Arun Swaminathan, for Ram Ravikumar, said the lamp should be lit first as per court directions and added that his side would cooperate if settlement efforts are taken under the High Court’s supervision. The bench extended the interim stay until further orders and adjourned the hearing to July 27.
