Karunanidhi targets Centre on Gopal Subramanium rejection row

CHENNAI: Slamming the Centre over rejection of former Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium's appointment as Supreme Court judge, DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi today wondered if the role of the former senior law officer in Sohrabuddin case was the "reason" behind his rejection.

"Gopal Subramanium was the amicus curiae in the Sohrabuddin case," Karunanidhi, said, adding, Amit Shah, the "advisor" of Narendra Modi was later arrested by the CBI in the case.

"Does this happen to be the reason for the rejection of Gopal Subramanium,?" Karunanidhi asked in a statement.

"Whatever it may be, an opportunity to Tamil Nadu is lost", he said.

Describing as "regrettable," the loss of opportunity to a person belonging to Tamil Nadu to become a Judge of the apex court, the DMK chief said "not only he belongs to Tamil Nadu, he is also an experienced senior advocate."

He had worked efficiently for eight years as Additional Solicitor General and later as Solicitor General, he said.

Referring to an affidavit of the Centre in a case in the Madras High Court which said that the "maritime boundary between India and Sri Lanka is a settled matter," Karunanidhi said it was shocking.

Stressing that Katchatheevu, an islet ceded to Sri Lanka by India in 1974 was an integral part of India, he said there was adequate documentary proof to substantiate the contention.

Yesterday, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct officials to file a revised affidavit reflecting the concerns of Tamil Nadu in the Madras High Court in a case related to the Katchatheevu issue.