The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has asked the State to disclose how much was paid as fees to government lawyers from temple funds in the case linked to the Tiruparankundram hill ‘Deepathoon’ (lamp pillar) issue.
The query came up during the hearing of a petition filed by Ramesh of Madurai seeking measurement of the Tiruparankundram hill. In an earlier order, a Division Bench had directed the district administration to carry out the measurement through Revenue Department officials in coordination with the Archaeological Survey of India, and to file a report after completion.
Hearing the matter, Justices G.R. Swaminathan and S. Sreemathy were informed by the Additional Advocate General that discrepancies appeared in certain portions of the earlier measurement, leading to a re-measurement on August 5. The State also said documents relating to an order of the London Privy Council have been sought from the State Archives to enable comparison and verification, and requested time to submit a comprehensive report.
The Bench then asked how much had been paid from temple funds to lawyers appearing for the government in the litigation concerning the lighting of the lamp at the Deepathoon. The government counsel said the amount would be examined.
Stating that the matter should be concluded before the upcoming Karthigai Deepam festival, the court adjourned the hearing to September 11 for the State to file its report.
