Uncertainty over listing of PIL against Sasikala in SC

The uncertainty over listing of a PIL, seeking to restrain AIADMK leader V K Sasikala from being sworn in as Tamil Nadu chief minister, for hearing before the Supreme Court continued today with the apex court registry of the view that it need not be listed under the "urgent matter" category.

An advocate, who is representing the petitioner, said that the PIL has been numbered and he mentioned it today before the registry to list it for hearing before the court tomorrow.

"They (registry) feel that it (PIL) cannot be listed as an urgent matter as date of swearing-in has not been announced yet. No date has been fixed for hearing," advocate G S Mani, who is represeting Chennai-resident Senthil Kumar, General Secretary of NGO Satta Panchayat Iyakkam, said.

The counsel said since the registry is not listing the PIL for hearing before the apex court, he will mention the matter tomorrow before Chief Justice J S Khehar for urgent hearing.

He also said the defects, which were cited by the registry earlier, have been cured and the PIL has been numbered.

The PIL was filed on February 6 seeking a stay on the swearing-in of Sasikala as Tamil Nadu chief minister as there was speculation that she would be taking the oath the next day.

The petitioner has sought a restrain on her swearing-in after an apex court bench had on February 6 said that it would pronounce within a week the judgement in a 19-year-old disproportionate assets case in which Sasikala and late CM J Jayalalithaa were accused.

Kumar has sought a stay on Sasikala's swearing-in contending that if she was convicted and forced to resign, there could be a "possibility of riots erupting all over Tamil Nadu".

He has said the law and order situation may worsen in such an eventuality as the state is already facing a "desperate situation" due to cyclone, demonetisation and death of Jayalalithaa.