Justice G R Swaminathan of the Madras High Court (Madurai Bench), hearing the contempt petition on the deepam row in Thiruparankundram, has ordered the Chief Secretary and other officials to appear through video conference on December 19.
When the government counsel sought postponement of the hearing till the appeal was disposed of, the Judge said he could wait till the next hearing but not after that.
The Court also pointed out that the issue is not only about lighting the deepam but also concerned property rights.
Earlier, the Government counsel seeking adjournment, said “Oil and thread as well as the hillock will not vanish till the appeal is disposed of. When the appeal itself is to ascertain whether the impugned order is valid in law, how can interim orders can be passed?
“Even the courts could not dictate what should be done and what not to be done in temples as it is the preserve of the Devasthanams and there are judgments regarding this.”