The Madras High Court today dismissed all pending petitions challenging burials on the Marina in Chennai as it resumed hearing on a petition by the DMK seeking allotment of space at the famous beach for laying to rest its leader M Karunanidhi.

Highlights of the hearing that is happening right now.


DMK's lawyer says 'You (state govt) have announced state mourning, why not give land for burial? There's no prohibition under Central Govt protocol to allot land at Marina beach for ex-CMs.

The DMK's lawyer says, "Anna,  (Annadurai) who is the founder of the DMK, used to say my life and soul is Karunanidhi. Burying Karunanidhi next to Gandhi Mandapam cannot be termed as a decent burial."


"There are 1 crore DMK followers in Tamil Nadu out of a 7 crore population of the state. They will be offended if burial land is not allotted for Karunanidhi at Marina beach."


The Tamil Nadu government's lawyer responds saying DMK is pursuing political agenda by filing this case. Periyar was the tallest leader of Dravidian movement. Was he buried at Marina beach?"

The first bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Huluvadi G Ramesh and Justice S S Sundar dismissed the petitions, including one by social activist Traffic Ramaswamy, when it resumed hearing this morning. After a special sitting that commenced late last night, the court had adjourned the matter at 1.15 am for resumed hearing at 8 am.