Minister seeks better coordination between government, judiciary

In the matter of recruitment of subordinate judicial officers
Another addition: Law Minister Durai Murugan (left) and Madras High Court Judge P.D. Dinakaran, inaugurating two courts in Madurai on Monday. A. Tamilarasi, Minister for Adi Dravidar Welfare, is in the picture.
MADURAI: Minister for Public Works and Law Durai Murugan on Monday called for better coordination between the government and the higher judiciary in the matter of recruitment of subordinate judicial officers.
Addressing a meeting organised to mark the inauguration of two courts here, the Minister said a recent notification to appoint judicial officers through the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission was issued without his knowledge.
“I was taken aback to read the notification in The Hindu. When contacted, Public Service Commission officials pointed the finger at others and there started a blame game,” he said.
“There is a clear demarcation of powers among the judiciary, executive and the legislature. Nobody should interfere in another’s area of jurisdiction. Only then can the administration run smoothly,” he said.
The Minister urged the High Court administration to include the names of the local MPs and MLAs in invitations to the inauguration of court buildings.
Protection of depositors
P.D. Dinakaran, Judge, Madras High Court, praised the State government for enacting the Tamil Nadu Protection of Interests of Depositors (TNPID) Act, 1997. It was a boon to thousands of investors who were cheated by dubious financial institutions, he said after inaugurating a special court under the TNPID Act here along with the District Munsif-cum-Judicial Magistrate at Vadipatti.
“If no law had been enacted to curb such activities of the financial establishments… an anomalous situation would have been created whereby the financial establishments would siphon off the money and finally get honorary acquittal after facing penal action,” he said.
Pointing out that a similar enactment in Maharashtra was struck down by the Bombay High Court as unconstitutional, he said the Tamil Nadu Act did not have to face such a situation as a Full Bench of the Madras High Court presided over by him had upheld its validity.
The ruling paved the way for the resumption of attachment proceedings and criminal action against financial institutions that failed to return Rs.1,925 crore to about 19 lakh depositors across the State.
Minister for Adi Dravidar Welfare A. Tamilarasi, High Court Judges P. Murgesen and S. Palanivelu, Collector S.S. Jawahar, judicial officers, top police officers, lawyers and court staff participated.
Staff Reporter
THE HINDU; Tuesday, Apr 08, 2008