Plea challenges Iqbal Singhs continuance

CHENNAI: A writ petition was filed in the Madras High Court on Friday questioning the authority of Iqbal Singh to hold the post of Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry. The first bench, comprising Chief Justice MY Eqbal and Justice TS Sivagnanam, before which ‘quo-warranto’ petition came up, posted the matter for hearing after one week.In his petition, T Murugan of Karuvadickuppam, a state committee member of the CPM, among other things contended that  Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry. created a trust called South Educational Trust, at Cazi Street, in which his two sons were the trustees, on March 25, 2010.  He allegedly usurped 25 acres belonging to one Kamlesh Shah, who was arrested and convicted for the murder of his brother’s wife Parvathi Shaw. In the prison, Kamlesh was also murdered. The land was forcibly occupied by the trust and a medical college was started there.  By “abusing his official position”, Singh issued essentiality certificate to the trust for his personal benefit and for the benefit of his family members in violation of law and the Constitution. Hence, Iqbal Singh had no right to continue in the post, petitioner claimed.The Petitioner, T Murugan’s interim prayer was for a direction to the Central bureau of investigation to hold investigation into the  allegations.