The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday came down strongly on attempts to make derogatory remarks against the judiciary, cautioning that it would not tolerate efforts to “demoralise” the institution.

A division bench of Justices G Jayachandran and K K Ramakrishnan made the oral observations while hearing appeals arising out of the ongoing dispute over lighting the Karthigai Deepam lamp at the ancient stone pillar (Deepathoon) atop Thirupparankundram hill near a Dargah.

The issue came up when advocate M R Venkatesh, appearing for the writ petitioners who had sought permission for the lamp-lighting, told the court that personal comments were being made against the single judge who had earlier allowed the ritual.

Taking exception to such conduct, the bench observed:

“Persons

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