The Madras High Court bench here today recalled the bailable arrest warrant issued against Ashwin Mukund, Superintendent of Police, Tuticorin district on a contempt notice.
The Court recalled the warrant after the SP submitted that he did not deliberately disobey court order and he had filed a petition before the court asking to dispense with the apperance as he was busy with some festivals in the communally sensitive tuticorin district. But the petition was not numbered, he submited.
Justice K K Sasidharan, who issued the interim order on the contempt petition filed by D Selvam of Sivaganga district against the superintendent of police, recalled the warrant.
The order said the commissioner of police, Madurai city, should ensure the presence of the SP in the High Court on Jun 16.
The case relates to the auction of acacia trees in 2013. One Akbar Ali had cut the acacia trees illegally. When the matter was taken to the High Court, the court had directed the Revenue Divisional Officer to conduct a re-auction.
It had also directed Cotnis, who was the SP in Sivaganga district, to ensure that not tree was cut before the re-auction. However, the court's directions were not obeyed, the petitioner said.
When the matter came up for hearing on April 24, the judge directed the SP to appear before it. However, he did not turn up, following which the arrest warrant was issued against him.
The SP said as soon as he came to know about the contempt petition, he directed the inspector of Thirupuvanam Police station to inspect the spot and the Inspector reported that there was no illegal removal of acacia tree.
The allegation of the petitioner was false, he submitted ading the petitioner has to prefer a complaint to him first before filing the contempt petition.
