SC refuses to adjourn hearing on Sethu case

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to adjourn the hearing on the Sethusamudram project, sought on the ground that the Government was seeking trust vote in Parliament.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to adjourn the hearing on the Sethusamudram project, sought on the ground that the Government was seeking trust vote in Parliament.

8220;How are we concerned with the trust motion? This court is only concerned with judicial matters,8221; a Bench, headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, said while declining the plea of anti-project petitioner to wait for the outcome of trust motion and defer the hearing for three weeks.

The Bench also comprised Justices R V Raveendran and J M Panchal.

Senior advocates K K Venugopal, C S Vaidyanathan and M N Krishnamani, who are appearing for those opposing the project, reminded the court about its last order asking the Centre to explore the possibility of declaring the Ram Sethu as a historical monument.

The advocates referring to the previous order, sought to get the matter adjourned over this urging the court to adjourn the matter as the Government has not made its stand clear.

Venugopal said that the court must adjourn the matter, as there are important developments taking place in the country. 8220;Should we not wait for one day and see?8221; he pleaded while seeking an adjournment.

However, Justice Raveendran remarked: 8220;In any case, arguments are not going to be completed within a day. Before arguments could be completed, you would surely know the fate of the government.8221;

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Arguing at length though the day, Venugopal contended that Environmental Impact Assessment EIA was not conducted as per statutory requirement.

The court, perusing his arguments, appeared convinced that the concerned environmental authority under the statute did not consider the impact of Tsunami, which struck in 2004, or any future possibility of the natural disaster in its EIA report furnished prior to the grant of clearance in 2005.

The arguments would continue on Thursday.

The Centre said it would put forward its stand only when its turn comes for the arguments.