HC calls for notice to Kodanad estate

Chennai (PTI): Madras High Court on Wednesday called for a May 30 last notice issued by a village panchayat president to the Kodanad Estate in Nilgiris District and also the panchayat president's inspection report of May 31 last.
Justice K.Chandru who passed the order adjourned the case to April 22.
Two criminal petition and four writ petitions in connection with the case were posted before Justice Chandru following Justice Mohan Ram's April 10 request to the Chief Justice to post the case for hearing before another Judge.
The issue relates to an order passed by the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Coonoor directing removal of 'obstructions' put up on the road passing through patta lands on the estate, belonging to AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa.
Intially a single Judge had commenced hearing on a petition filed by the manager of the estate challenging the SDM's order. Thereafter it was posted before another Judge.
The estate manager had challenged the Madras High Court decision to the post the matter before a different Judge after a major portion of the hearing had been completed by another Judge. After his plea was rejected, he filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court.
On Friday last, a bench of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice K.G.Balakrishnan and Justice Aftab Alam had dismissed the SLP holding that 'it is the prerogative of the Chief Justice (of a High Court) to post a matter before a particular Judge.'
THE HINDU; Wednesday, April 16, 2008