SC objects to Jayalalitha’s plea on Sethu Project

by Special Correspondent

(January 29, New Delhi, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Supreme Court on Monday took strong exception to former Tamil Nadu chief minister, Miss J. Jayalalithaa’s petition against the Centre going ahead with the Sethusamudram project by destroying the Ram Setu. The court, while clubbing her petition for hearing with others on the issue, was anguished that cases were filed opposing the project, three years after it was cleared in 2005.

"Nobody had ever seen the structure. Nobody had ever thought of declaring it as a national monument. It is surprising that it is coming from her," a bench headed by Chief Justice, Mr K.G. Balakrishnan said. The court’s remarks were in response to one of the prayers in Miis Jayalalithaa’s petition that the Ram Setu or Adams Bridge, a barrier situated south-east of Rameshwaram connecting Talaimanar coast of Sri Lanka, be declared as a national monument.

"Several matters are pending in this court on it (Ram Setu)," the bench, also comprising Justices, Mr Tarun Chatterjee and Mr R.V. Raveendran, said. They added the former chief minister can approach the appropriate authorities for declaring Ram Setu as a national monument. Following the court’s observations, senior advocate, Mr K.K. Venugopal, appearing for the AIADMK chief, preferred to withdraw the prayer.

The Court said Miss Jayalalithaa’s petition can be heard along with other pending petitions. At the outset when Mr Venugopal submitted that the aspect of national security was also involved in the matter, the bench asked, "How many petitions can be filed on one subject?" Mr Venugopal said Miss Jayalalithaa has approached the court as a representative of the people.