Thousands pay tributes to Karunanidhi; Madras HC allows burial at Marina

Chennai:The Madras High Court on Wednesday allowed the burial of DMK chief M Karunanidhi on the Marina Beach.
A division bench of the court comprising Acting Chief Justice H G Ramesh and S S Sundar passed the order on a petition filed by the DMK at a special hearing.
Tamil Nadu’s main opposition party had moved the court last night after the AIADMK government rejected its request for allowing the burial of Karunanidhi on the famed Marina sands alongside his mentor and former chief minister C N Annadurai.
Earlier, soon after the court resumed the hearing on the DMK’s plea, which was adjourned in the wee hours today, all five petitions challenging former chief minister late Jayalalithaa’s burial at the Marina on different grounds were dismissed as withdrawn.
These petitions had been cited by the government for denying permission to bury the DMK stalwart on the beach, which also has memorials to former chief ministers M G Ramachandran and his protegee Jayalalithaa.
Defending its decision the state government said the previous DMK government headed by Karunanidhi had turned down a plea for burying late chief minister M G Ramachandran’s wife Janaki on ground she was not a sitting CM.
Meanwhile, a large number of people have gathered outside the Rajaji Hall here to pay their last respects to DMK President M Karunanidhi, who died on Tuesday evening due to age related ailments.
The mortal remains of Karunanidhi was brought to Rajaji Hall on early Wednesday after it was taken to his homes at Gopalapuram here and at CIT Colony for relatives and leaders to pay their last respects to the departed leader.
A Chief Minister for five times, the 94-year old veteran politician Karunanidhi’s body is covered with National Flag.
Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth paid his respects to Karunanidhi and consoled the family members of the DMK leader.
Leaders of DMK party have assembled at Rajaji Hall.