HC pulls up TN ministers over road roko stunt

The Madras High Court took strong exception to the participation of several ministers in the road roko agitation on Tuesday when polling was held for the bypolls to two corporation wards.

‘‘You advise the authorities to maintain law and order, but the very same authorities broke the law and order. The government is in an embarrassing situation,’’ a division bench, comprising Justice M Karpagavinayagam and Justice C Nagappan, said while taking up a petition filed by a DMK advocate, R Viduthalai.

Adjourning further hearing of the petition to April 25, the judges, however, declined to stay the counting of votes and declaration of results as prayed for by the petitioner. Justice Karpagavinayagam said, ‘‘Ministers obstructing traffic … will it bring a good name to the government.’’