CPM to move SC against Lieutenant Governor

PUDUCHERRY: CPM Tamil Nadu state council member T Murugan said his party would approach Supreme Court against Lieutenant Governor Iqbal Singh, who allegedly abused his official position to get gains for his family and close friends.He told reporters at a press conference here on Wednesday that the party would try to raise in parliament the issue of the LG’s continuance in office despite the allegations levelled against him.Murugan said the recent Madras High Court order of dismissing a writ petition against the LG did not bar any person from initiating proceedings before the appropriate forum against the Centre or the Union Territory.It may be recalled that the Madras High Court had dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking a direction to Puducherry Administrator (Lt Governor) Iqbal Singh to show cause on what authority he continued to be in office and consequently, remove him.Chief Justice M Y Eqbal and Justice T S Sivagnanam, comprising the first bench, stated that as per the Constitution, no court could compel the Governor either to exercise, forbear the exercising of any power or perform any duty. The Governors enjoyed absolute immunity from legal proceedings in regard to their official acts, they said.Petitioner T Murugan alleged that Iqbal Singh had abused his position to get gain for his family, close friends and relatives by creating a trust in March last year and registering it in Puducherry with both his sons, close relatives and friends as members.CBI probe soughtCPM state unit secretary V Perumal, who addressed the reporters along with Murugan here on Wednesday, sought a CBI probe into the allegations of some police personnel’s involvement in usurping of gold ornaments seized from thieves after threatening them.