The Madras High Court has warned government officials (referred to as "Babus") that they could face contempt of court proceedings if they fail to adequately justify their inaction regarding the Deepam (lighting of lamps) issue at a temple in Thirupparankundram, Madurai. The court's strong stance underscores the seriousness with which it views the repeated defiance of its orders related to the Karthigai Deepam festival.
The case revolves around the annual Karthigai Deepam festival, during which a lamp is traditionally lit atop a stone pillar (Deepathoon) at the Thirupparankundram hill. Despite previous court orders directing authorities to facilitate the lighting of the lamp, these orders have allegedly been repeatedly defied. This defiance prompted the court to consider contempt proceedings against the concerned government officials.
The specific reasons for the officials' inaction remain a key point of contention. The High Court has demanded a clear and justifiable explanation for their failure to comply with the previous directives. Failure to provide a satisfactory explanation could result in the officials being held in contempt of court, which carries potential penalties such as fines or even imprisonment.
This is not the first time the Deepam issue has attracted legal attention. In a related development, the Madras High Court recently prohibited the publication, sale, and circulation of a Tamil book containing derogatory remarks against a sitting High Court judge, specifically referencing his judgment in the Karthigai Deepam case. The court also initiated suo motu contempt proceedings against the book's publisher, Keezhaikaatru Publishers. The court acted on a plea from an advocate who alleged the book contained content directed against Justice G R Swaminathan of the Madurai bench. The judges stated the book was highly derogatory and abusive, crossing all limits. The Tamil Nadu Police were directed to ensure that no such book is published or circulated and to submit a compliance report.
Furthermore, earlier, a motion to impeach Justice Swaminathan was moved by 107 Members of Parliament, accusing him of showing undue favor to certain advocates and having a political ideology that contravenes secular principles. Following his order to light the lamp on the hilltop, the Madras High Court judge also allegedly received threats from Pakistan-based accounts.
The High Court's firm stance in the Deepam case reflects its commitment to upholding its orders and ensuring compliance from government authorities. The potential contempt trial serves as a warning against disregarding judicial directives and underscores the importance of accountability in governance. The court is also keen on protecting the judiciary from disparaging remarks, as seen by the contempt case against the publisher. The next steps will involve the concerned officials presenting their justification for the inaction, and the court will then decide whether to proceed with the contempt trial.
