Ban on RSS Pathsanchalan – Contempt proceedings against Kovai CoP initiated

 CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has ordered initiation of suo motu contempt proceedings against Coimbatore City Police Commissioner Shylendra Babu for failing to furnish the information called for by it.

Justice K Suguna passed the order on December 2 last while passing interim orders on a writ petition from S Shanmugam, public relations in charge of the Coimbatore unit of the RSS, seeking to quash an order dated October 4 this year, by which the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) refused permission to take out a cadre route march on October 17 last.

On an earlier occasion, the judge had directed the Government Pleader (GP) to get the particulars of the shorter route available. But the CoP instructed the GP to inform the court that no permission could be given and accordingly on December 2 last, the GP conveyed the same to the judge.

An irked judge, observed that when certain information was sought for, it was the CoP’s duty to furnish it. If for any other reason the information could not be furnished, it should be stated upfront. The stand of the CoP would amount to not obeying the directions issued by this court, the judge said, ordered initiation of suo motu contempt proceedings against the CoP and notice to him returnable in four weeks.

According to the petitioner, as part of the training programme to the RSS cadre, it used to hold a route march on Vijayadasami day. It applied for permission to take out the march through the specified streets or through the streets to be mentioned by the police. However, the DCP rejected the plea on the grounds of law and order on October 4.

Responses