The Madras High Court on Wednesday directed Tiruvannamalai Collector to ascertain whether there was any plan to install a statue of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on the Girivalam (circumambulation) path by encroaching upon public lands. The court directed the Collector to inspect the spot, ascertain the revenue records and file a report by Thursday.
Justices S.M. Subramaniam and J. Sathya Narayana Prasad also ordered maintenance of status quo until such report was filed in the court by the Collector. The interim orders were passed on a public interest litigation petition filed by G. Karthick, 39, an iron scrap merchant based in Chennai but a native of Nallan Pillai Petraan village in Kilpennathur Taluk of Tiruvannamalai district.
In his affidavit, the petitioner said that he was a staunch devotee of Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai and always participates in the annual circumambulation around the temple. He said, the Girivalam passes through the Vengikkal junction, which connects two State highways, where thousands of devotees conglomerate every year.
