New Delhi, February 28: The Supreme Court today granted exemption from personal appearance to TRS chief Chandrasekhar Rao, actress-turned-MP Vijayashanti and 10 others in a contempt case for “vandalising” the Andhra Pradesh high court and hurling slippers at two judges in September last over Telananga row.
One of the judges C V Nagaarjun Reddy had at that time resigned in protest but subsequently withdrew it.
A bench of justices J M Panchal and H L Gokhale, however, recorded an undertaking from the AP high court Bar Association and the State Bar Council that judicial proceedings in the state would not be obstructed on account of the agitation for the separate state.
It also asked the Supreme Court registry to furnish to the alleged contemnors within 10 days copies of the report submitted by the High Court Registrar on the violence reportedly unleashed by a section of pro-Telangana lawyers and outsiders.
“You give assurance that the court will function smoothly. Our intention is to defuse the situation and the court functions smoothly,” justice Dave speaking for the bench said.
President of the AP high court Bar Association D Prakash Reddy and Chairman of the State Bar Council A Narasimha Reddy, who appeared in person, were also granted exemption from personal appearance along with the TRS leaders.
The apex court asked the alleged contemnors to file their response on the contempt petition filed by advocates Chandrasekhar N Rajaraman and Sateesh Galla that the alleged contemnors had scandalised the judiciary and wilfully obstructed administration of justice by resorting to such agitation.
–Agencies