Supreme Court issues notices to Karunanidhi, Baalu

New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) The Supreme Court Monday issued notices to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and Union Surface Transport Minister T.R. Baalu among others for defying the court orders against a shutdown in the state Oct 1.

The notices were issued on a petition by the AIADMK seeking initiation of contempt of court proceedings against the two.

The shutdown was called by DMK on Oct 1 in support of the Sethusamudram canal project, aimed at building a shorter navigational route for ships.

Hindu groups and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have protested the cutting of the Rs.240 billion canal through a geographical formation known as Adam's Bridge or Ram Sethu, which they believe was built during Hindu god Ram's time.