Ram Setu Matter : Supreme Court Turns Down Subramanian Swamy's Plea To Summon Cabinet Secretary After Centre Fails To File Counter Affidavit

Rajya Sabha MP Dr.Subramanian Swamy urged the Supreme Court on Thursday to summon the Union Cabinet Secretary as the Union Government has not filed its counter-affidavit in his petition seeking national heritage status for Ram Setu. However, a bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud turned down his request and gave Centre time till the first week of February 2023 to file its affidavit.

Since the CJI is heading a Constitution Bench today, the Ram Setu matter (also listed before a division bench led by the CJI) was not to be heard today. Dr.Swamy therefore mentioned the matter before a bench comprising CJI Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha, to remind that Centre has not filed its counter-affidavit.

"Learned Solicitor General had made a commitment to file counter by 12 December", he told the CJI.

Turning to SG Tushar Mehta, CJI said, "Mr. Solicitor, Subramanian Swamy is saying you have not kept your commitment to file the counter in the Ram Setu matter".

"It is under consideration. Discussion is going on. Kindly have it in the first week of February", SG replied.

"He(SG) said it is already prepared. Now he is saying it is under preparation. May I suggest the cabinet Secretary be summoned. It is a cabinet matter", Swamy urged.

"No no", CJI declined the request with a smile and said, "We'll keep it in the first week of February for filing & keep it in second week of February".

When Swamy made a request for keeping it as the first item, CJI responded with a laugh.

The issue seeking declaration of the Ram Setu as National Heritage was raised by Swamy in his 2007 plea against the Sethu Samundram Ship Channel project.

Under the Setu Samundram project an 83 km long channel was to be created linking Mannar and Palk Strait by extensive dredging. The project was alleged to have an impact on the Ram Setu.

Ram Setu, is a bridge which is a chain of limestone shoals, off the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu. It runs from Pamban Island near Rameshwaram in South India to Mannar Island, off the northern coast of Sri Lanka. The bridge is mentioned in the epic Ramayana to have been constructed by Lord Ram to reach Sri Lanka to rescue Sita.

[Case Title: Dr. Subramanian Swamy v. Union of India And Ors .T.C.(C) No. 27/2007]