Race club files contempt plea against TN govt

Race club files contempt plea against TN govt 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  26.09.2024

Chennai : A day after the Madras high court reserved its verdict on whether nor not to waive the mandatory two month notice to govt before hearing a civil suit moved by Madras Race Club (MRC) challenging the termination of the lease of 160 acres of land allotted to it, the club has moved a contempt plea against Tamil Nadu govt. The club alleged that the state failed to honour the undertaking made by advocate general P S Raman that separate proceedings would be initiated to take possession of the property.

During the hearing of the suit moved by MRC, the state differed with the AG’s statement that the possession of the property was yet to be taken by the state. On Wednesday, when the division bench of Justice S S Sundar and Justice K Rajasekhar commenced proceeding, MRC made a mention seeking an urgent hearing of the contempt plea. Though the bench agreed to hear the matter during lunch motion, the plea could not be taken up for hearing since the contempt plea was not officially numbered by the registry. Representing the club, senior advocate A L Somayaji pointed out that the 15 days’ time granted to vacate the property expires on Wednesday and sought an urgent hearing. Opposing the same, senior advocate P Wilson and additional advocate-general J Ravindran submitted that there was no need for an urgent hearing since the possession of the property has already been taken by the state. 

Responding to the submissions, the bench observed that the govt is challenging what the court had recorded in the order and that it is making the court a litigant. The court further added that the club cannot seek interim relief in the contempt petition. The court then directed the registry to number the contempt petition and list it for hearing on Thursday