NEET controversy: Former judges of Madras high court appeal for no action against actor Suriya

CHENNAI: A day after Justice S M Subramaniam of the Madras high court sought to initiate contempt of court action against actor Suriya for his alleged comment on Supreme Court’s order allowing NEET exams during the Covid-19 pandemic, six former judges of the court has jumped in defence of the actor.
Retired Madras high court judges Justice K Chandru, Justice K N Basha, Justice T Sudanthiram, Justice D Hariparanthaman, Justice K Kannan and Justice G M Akbar Ali have addressed a communication to the Chief Justice A P Sahi to leave the issue as it is and not to initiate any action against the actor.
“In today’s newspaper, we saw a news item informing that Justice Subramaniam has written a letter to you drawing your attention to a press statement of actor Suriya protesting against the conduct of NEET.”
“It appears that the actor had stated that while afraid of risking their lives due to Covid-19 fear, the court which dispenses justice through videoconferencing is ordering students to go and write NEET without fear,” the former judges said.
“We are afraid that considering such a statement as contempt of court would slightly off the mark and it did not require any action as requested by the judge. Where four students have committed suicide unable to meet the NEET requirement and in a surcharged atmosphere, an artistic person’s overreaction should not be taken seriously and out of context,” they added.
“If the letter is read in its totality and considering the good work done by him through his charitable trust which had helped hundreds of poor students to complete their higher education and get placements, we should show generosity and magnanimity in leaving the matter without any cognizance,” they said.
Noting that being former judges, they are concerned about the prestige and honour of the court, the six judges said, “We earnestly make this appeal not to take cognizance of the complaint and leave the matter as it is. It is our duty to make this appeal to your good selves so that the court is rid of any unnecessary controversies.”