Latest news with #BPugalendhi
New Indian Express
20-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Tamil Nadu gets Madras HC pat for SOPs on EOW action
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court commended the state for issuing SOPs aimed at strengthening the Economic Offences Wing by streamlining its functions and by promoting transparent and time-bound action in financial fraud cases. Pointing to the G.O. passed to include 'economic offenders' under Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 1982 (Goondas Act), Justice B Pugalendhi called it a major policy shift that empowers the authorities to invoke preventive detention against habitual offenders operating fraudulent financial firms. Recalling that the court had earlier expressed concern over lack of preventive vigilance by the EOW, the judge acknowledged the state's submission regarding the steps being taken. However, noting that no outer time limit has been fixed for issuance of ad-interim attachment orders under Section 3 of the TNPID Act, the judge fixed 12 days from the receipt of proposal by the ADGP, EOW, as the maximum permissible period for issuing such directions. The observations were made on a contempt plea against the home secretary for non-implementation of the court's order in his petition seeking release of deposit from a frozen bank account of a firm involved in fraud.
New Indian Express
19-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Madurai Bench of Madras HC raps collector, police for inaction over caste discrimination in temple
MADURAI: Shocked that even after 75 years of Independence, people are still being denied entry into temples over their caste, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, while hearing two petitions related to such an incident at a Mariyamman temple in Chinna Dharapuram, Karur, directed the HR&CE department, Karur collector and SP to file separate reports on the current situation, reason for the temple's closure, and steps taken to ensure joint worship. Justice B Pugalendhi criticised authorities for keeping the temple closed since 2018 due to communal tension. 'The closure of a public temple, not for days or weeks but for years, under the guise of law and order, is a dereliction of constitutional duty,' he said. 'Stopping everyone from entering is not the way to maintain peace. The law cannot treat the oppressor and the oppressed as equals. The government must remember that peace built by denying rights is not real peace, it is surrender,' he added, slamming the collector and police for inaction. The judge stressed that it is the duty of the HR&CE department and the state to ensure that no caste-based exclusion takes place in any temple. Citing the Kandadevi temple festival in Sivaganga, successfully conducted last year after a 17-year halt due to communal tension, he said it was possible only because the government took proactive steps, deployed adequate police force, engaged with communities, and ensured the participation of Scheduled Caste devotees.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
No person can deny access to a temple based on caste: HC
Madurai: It is shocking that even after 75 years of Independence, people are still being kept out of temples because of their caste, observed the Madras high court , while holding that no person or group can deny access to a public temple based on caste. Justice B Pugalendhi observed that a petition filed by Vanniyakulachathiriyar Nala Arakattalai, represented by its president Murugan, seeks the removal of a prohibitory order of 2018 and permission to resume festivals and worship at the Mariamman temple in Chinna Dharapuram, Karur district. According to the trust, no caste discrimination has occurred at the temple. However, another petitioner, Marimuthu, alleges that scheduled caste devotees are not being allowed to worship. The judge took note of the report filed by the Karur district collector stating that the temple has remained closed since 2018, except for pujas, due to apprehension of communal tension and the risk of law and order disturbances. Condemning the report, the judge observed that the closure of a public temple, under the guise of a law and order concern, is a dereliction of constitutional duty. The collector cannot escape his duty by simply saying there may be trouble. It is his responsibility to handle it using the state machinery. "Police seem to think that the only way to keep peace is by denying entry to everyone. This is wrong," the judge observed. It is also the duty of the HR and CE department and the state to ensure that everyone is allowed to worship and there is no caste-based exclusion. The judge then directed the department to file a report. The judge directed both parties to cooperate with the officials and maintain peace and harmony.
News18
14-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
'Protest Not Meant For Fun': Madras HC Declines NTK's Plea For Repeat Agitation At Same Venue
Last Updated: Justice B Pugalendhi observed, "Conducting protest is not meant for fun, and such protests cannot be conducted to the whims and fancies of the political parties". The Madras High Court at Madurai Bench recently upheld the decision of the Tamil Nadu police to deny permission to the political party Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) for conducting a second protest at the same venue within 5 days over the recent custodial death of temple guard Ajith Kumar. Court stressed that the right to protest is not absolute and must be balanced against the rights of the general public and law and order concerns. Justice B Pugalendhi observed, 'Conducting protest is not meant for fun, and such protests cannot be conducted to the whims and fancies of the political parties". The judge stressed that the political parties have certain responsibilities towards the general public and that the right to protest is subject to reasonable restrictions. 'The issue also has to be approached from the point of view of the rights of the general public and those who are not associated with the protest. The right of protest should not infringe on the right of the general public," Justice Pugalendhi emphasised. He said that the right to protest does not include the right to cause inconvenience to the public. 'The sacrosanct right of protest cannot be used in a cavalier manner to cause persistent irritation or disharmony to the general public. The aspect of visual and auricular violation aggression against the general public should be kept in mind while such protests are carried out," he added. A plea was filed by J Eswaran, NTK's State Coordinator, challenging an order dated July 6, 2025, passed by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Manamadurai. The order rejected NTK's request to hold a demonstration on July 8, citing multiple grounds, including an earlier protest on July 3 at the same site, the coinciding temple chariot festival that required full police deployment, and the weekly market at Thiruppuvanam which sees heavy footfall from nearby villages. Police also flagged the site's limitations that it sits along the state highway with capacity for only 200–300 people, lacks parking and crowd management infrastructure, and is close to sensitive areas such as schools and hospitals. On the other hand, NTK argued that they had been unfairly singled out, pointing out that their party leader, Seeman, had not been allowed to participate in the July 3 protest due to police objections, and that they were now seeking to protest again with his presence. However, police denied placing any such restriction and submitted that no mention of Seeman's participation was made in the original request. Justice Pugalendhi, after hearing both sides, held that while the right to protest is fundamental under Article 19(1), it is subject to reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2) and 19(3) of the Constitution. Court also took judicial note of serious allegations raised in the police counter-affidavit. During the July 3 protest, NTK members allegedly used 'filthy language," invoked communal rhetoric, and demeaned women, including references to the complainant in the custodial death case. However, the police admitted that no legal action had been taken against the individuals responsible. 'This court cannot find fault with the reasons assigned by the respondent police for rejecting the request," the judge observed stressing that no person can claim that he should be allowed to protest repeatedly at the same place without restrictions. Court permitted the petitioner to file a fresh application and directed the police to decide on it within 24 hours. view comments First Published: July 14, 2025, 17:33 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Follow guidelines for assessing disability scrupulously: HC
1 2 3 Madurai: Noting that a govt employee had been issued three disability certificates with varying percentages, the Madras high court emphasized that the guidelines issued by the department of empowerment of persons with disabilities under the Union ministry of social justice and empowerment for assessing and evaluating disability must be strictly followed. Justice B Pugalendhi observed that Section 34 of the Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 mandates providing at least 4% reservation in all vacancies in govt establishments. Apart from this employment, the state and central govts are also providing certain other benefits to persons with disabilities, such as financial assistance, special pension schemes, unemployment allowances, concessions on transportation, reservation in education, and incentives for self-employment. "The employment and other benefits are provided to persons suffering from disability to ensure that they are also treated equally with others. If certificates of this nature are issued, then the opportunities/benefits provided to disabled persons would be snatched away by those who are not deserving. Therefore, this issue needs to be addressed by the govt by issuing necessary directions/circulars," the judge observed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The department of empowerment of persons with disabilities has issued guidelines for assessing and evaluating disability percentages, along with procedures for issuing disability certificates. These must be followed strictly. Accordingly, the judge directed the secretary of health and family welfare to circulate these guidelines to all concerned departments and ensure strict compliance. The court was hearing a petition filed by V Mohandass, appointed as a cook under the disabled quota in a govt adi dravidar welfare hostel in Natham, Dindigul district, in 2008. He had 60% disability due to polio. Though he was later posted as an office assistant, this was revoked, and he was reverted to his original position. He sought court intervention for alternative employment and promotion, citing 12 years of service in the feeder cadre. Justice Pugalendhi observed that, under current rules, a cook can be promoted only as a night watchman, then as an office assistant. Since Mohandass was appointed as a cook with 60% disability, he could not demand alternative employment as a right. However, taking into account that he met with an accident while serving and was already given a temporary alternative post, the judge instructed authorities to consider his case sympathetically and provide alternative employment near his native place. The court also noted discrepancies in his disability certificates—60% in 2008, 40% in his current petition, and 51% after a fresh assessment—highlighting a lack of uniformity in issuing such certificates.
