HC seeks state’s stand on Thiruparankundram deepam issue

Madurai: The Madras high court on Thursday sought the state government’s stand on the issue of lighting the deepam atop Thiruparankundram hill in Madurai district.A division bench comprising Justice N Sathish Kumar and Justice M Jothiraman made the observation while hearing a batch of appeals filed by the Madurai district collector, Madurai city police commissioner and temple authorities against interim orders passed by a single judge in contempt proceedings related to the issue.The bench extended the interim stay on the contempt proceedings pending before the single judge and adjourned the matter to June 22.The appeals challenge the contempt proceedings initiated against officials for allegedly failing to comply with a court order directing the lighting of the deepam at the Deepathoon (stone pillar) atop Thiruparankundram hill.On March 17, the division bench had stayed the contempt proceedings initiated by the single judge against the authorities.