It is judiciary versus executive in Tamil Nadu

New Delhi: The tussle between the police and lawyers in Chennai has turned into a face-off between the judiciary and the executive in Tamil Nadu.

The Madras High Court has issued a notice to the state government seeking compensation for damages caused in Friday's violence.

The Chief Justice of the Madras High Court has asked the government why they shouldn't be made to compensate for damages caused to the court during the lawyers' protests. The High Court has also ordered the closure of all courts in Tamil Nadu.

"It's a clear case of beach of constitutionals principles. The state has to restore the situation instead of putting the blame on the lawyers,” a lawyer in Chennai said.

However, Commissioner of Chennai K Radhakrishnan said, “Some lawyers wanted to stay inside the High Court campus. They refused to move out. Then, we made an announcement through public address system that on the direction of Chief Justice of the High Court, they should vacate the campus immediately and they moved out in sometime. We will be keeping campus in our control until further orders of Chief Justice. We want to maintain law and order.”

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Madras High Court Bar Association asking why their strike shouldn't be declared illegal.

Expressing his displeasure, Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan said, “I condemn the strike by lawyers in Madras and it is very unfortunate and shocking."

But the lawyers are defiant. Even the Supreme Court lawyers have sympathised with their Chennai colleagues.

"We oppose the police action against the Chennai lawyers in which they have been dragged," said Vice President, Supreme Court Bar Association, Adeesh Agarwal.

Shoot-at-sight order given on Friday

In the backdrop of violent protests by lawyers, Tamil Nadu on Friday night had issued shoot-at-sight orders against those trying to damage public property and involve in anti-social activities.

A release from the DGP's office said district SPs have been empowered to carry out the order.

Appropriate action would be taken against those who try to damage vehicles or involve in other illegal activities, it had said.

"Some anti-social elements were using Thursday's incidents to damage public property and burn vehicles", the release said.

Strict actions would be taken against them, it said, adding security has been beefed up across the state after clashes between lawyers and the police at the High Court.