TN Govt to file plea in SC for early disposal of SLPs

TN Govt to file plea in SC for early disposal of SLPs
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

CHENNAI, SEPT 3: The Tamil Nadu Government will file a petition in the Supreme Court for early disposal of two Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) challenging its decision to release the five extermists as sought by forest brigand Veerappan for the release of the Kannada film star Rajkumar and three others, taken hostage by him.

Disclosing this to reporters here on Sunday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said the two cases, challenging the State Government's decision to release the five, were pending before the Supreme court, which had served notice to the State Government on the matter.

The stay against the release of 31 TADA detenues in Karnataka was also applicable for the release of the five in Tamil Nadu, he said adding that the Karnataka Government had already filed a petition in the Apex Court for the early disposal of the SLP filed against the release of 31.

The official emissary Gopal would explain the state's position to Veerappan, he said.

He said two advocates from Delhi, Adresh Ganesan and B L Wadhera, had filed petitions in the Supreme Court against the release of the five extermists.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Government has convened an all-party meeting on Monday to discuss the kidnapping episode. Prior to the all-party floor leaders meeting scheduled at 3.00 pm, Chief Minister S M Krishna has summoned an emergency cabinet meeting in the morning to take stock of the situation arising out of the July 30 abduction of the thespian and three others.

Monday's cabinet and all-party meetings is being held following Supreme Court's order on Friday staying indefinitely the release of 30 associates of the bandit, and also to discuss the latest video cassette sent by Veerappan.

Krishna on Saturday had said the cassette contained no fresh issues by Veerappan, who had only reiterated his earlier demands and added that it showed journalist-emissary R R Gopal engaged in negotiations with the bandit to secure the hostages' release.

He has also said that State's counsels had been asked to continue efforts towards early disposal of the SLP - filed by Abdul Kareem, father of a Police Sub-Inspector killed in an ambush by Veerappan gang in 1992 - on which the Apex Court had passed the order.