The High Court of Madras has tossed out DMK MLA J. Anbazhagan's petition challenging Assembly Speaker Dhanapal’s inauguration of a portrait of former Tamil Nadu chief-minister J. Jayalalithaa at the Assembly premises.

In his petition, Anbazhagan had stated that Jayalalithaa was one of the four accused along with Sasikala, Ilavarasi and Sudhakaran in the misappropriation of assets case. “Keeping the portrait of accused at Govt. offices, Assembly and public place is violation of existing norms.  Inauguration of Jayalalithaa’s portrait might set a wrong precedent and might mislead youths.  We request the Court to order removal of Jayalalithaa’s portrait from the Assembly premises,” the petition said.
 
Taking up the petition, a Bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee had postponed the case on 19th February.  When it came up for hearing again, the Bench delivered its verdict yesterday.  “Glorifying an accused can’t be justified but there is no law in the country which states that portrait of an accused can’t be kept,” it said.

“Furthermore, the Court has no role in a decision taken by the Assembly Speaker as doing anything within the Assembly (premises) is very much within his powers.  As the commanding officer of the Assembly proceedings, the Court can’t intervene in his decisions.  The case is thus dismissed,” the verdict said.