HC clears decks, Karunanidhi to rest near his mentor Annadurai at Marina Beach

Chennai: The Madras High Court on Wednesday granted permission for the burial of mortal remains of DMK president and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi at the Marina beach front.

Passing orders after elaborate arguments that commenced last night and continued this morning, a First Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Huluwadi G Ramesh and Justice Mr S S Sundar, hearing an urgent plea made by the DMK Rajya Sabha member R S Bharathi, granted permission.

The court order cleared the decks for burying Mr Karunanidhi's body near the memorial of his political mentor and former Chief Minister C N Annadurai on the Marina, where the memorials of AIADMK founder MGR and former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was located.

During the course of the arguments, the state government opposed the plea citing legal hurdles and pendency of cases in the court.

The high court order was welcomed with tears by DMK Working President and Mr Karunanidhi's son M K Stalin, who stood by his body at the Rajaji Hall, where a large number of DMK cadres, leaders of various political parties and people from the Tamil film world, paid their last respects.

Mr Stalin broke into tears near the body of Mr Karunanidhi after coming to know of the high court order.

Reacting to the court order, senior DMK leader Duraimurugan said Mr Karunanidhi, even after his death, has won legal battle.

Yesterday, Mr Stalin wrote a letter to Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and later met him and requested him to allot a space near the Anna memorial for the burial of Mr Karunanidhi.

However, the state government, citing the legal hurdles and pendency of cases in the high court, denied permission and said it would in turn allot two acres land near the Gandhi Mandapam on the Sardar Patel Road opposite to Anna University, following which the DMK moved the high court in the form of an urgent mention.

The Bench after detailed arguments last night, adjourned the matter to 0800 hrs this morning, while seeking a reply from the State government and the Chennai Corporation.

Scores of DMK cadres, carrying party flags and his portrait, who thronged the Rajaji Hall to pay their last respects to Mr Karunanidhi, hailed the court order and shouted slogans hailing the late DMK leader. (UNI)