Legal Correspondent

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned to December 11 hearing on a batch of petitions filed by Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy and others challenging the implementation of the Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project.

A three-Judge Bench, comprising Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justices R.V. Raveendran and J.M. Panchal, adjourned the hearing since the Centre sought more time to file its response.

Dr. Swamy told the Bench that the papers connected with the transfer petitions were yet to be received from the Madras High Court, and the Centre had also not filed its reply.

In his petition, Dr. Swamy had sought a direction to protect and declare the Ramar Sethu a national monument.

Additional Solicitor-General R. Mohan requested the court to post the matter on December 11 for further directions.

He said by that time the expert committee (set up to review the alignment of the project) was expected to submit its report, and the Centre would file its counter affidavit. The Bench agreed.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/14/stories/2007111461481700.htm