Don’t damage Ram Setu: SC

The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Centre and the Setusamudram Corporation Limited not to damage the 'Ram Setu', report Satya Prakash and Nagendar Sharma.

The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Centre and the Setusamudram Corporation Limited not to damage the 'Ram Setu', situated southeast off Rameshwaram near Pamban in Tamil Nadu connecting the Talaimanar coast of Sri Lanka while carrying out the ongoing Sethusamudram project.

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In an interim order passed on an urgent application filed by Janata Party leader Subramanyam Swamy, a bench of Justice BN Agrawal and Justice PP Naolekar ordered, "Till September 14, the alleged Ram Setu or Adams bridge shall not be damaged in any manner." It directed the Centre and the Corporation to file their response by the next date of hearing. However, on the request of Aditional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium, the court allowed the dredging activity for the project to continue without causing any damage to the 'Ram Setu'.

The bench passed the order after Swamy submitted if the Govt and the Setusamudram Corporation Limited were not restrained from damaging the 'Ram Setu', the petitioners and the court would be presented with a fait accompli and the petition will become in fructuous.