HC orders closure of TN courts

CHENNAI, FEB 21
Stepping in to cool frayed tempers, the Madras High Court today ordered closure of all courts in Tamil Nadu till Tuesday, even as no fresh incident of violence was reported in the State after the Government issued shoot-at-sight orders.
A tacit ban has also been imposed on the entry of lawyers into court complexes where the bar association offices are located, apparently to prevent congregation of lawyers.
The courts had remained closed yesterday too, but lawyers who gathered in court complexes in different cities took out protest marches during which sporadic incidents of violence, including torching of Government vehicles were reported.
However, with Acting Chief Justice S K Mukhopadyaya directing the police to lock all gates of the High Court and banned entry of lawyers into court premises, the day passed off without any untoward incident.