Hours after the government announced its inability to allot a space at Marina beach for the burial of DMK leader Karunanidhi, the party moved the Madras High Court challenging its decision.
Senior counsel for DMK P. Wilson and Saravanan went to acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court Huluvadi G. Ramesh's residence and sought permission to move an urgent motion.
The acting chief justice directed them to serve notice to the advocate general, saying he would hear the case at 10.30 pm at his residence.
Earlier, DMK working president M K Stalin, recalling the long public life of Karunanidhi, had written to Chief Minister K. Palaniswami seeking space inside the mausoleum complex of the departed leader's mentor C.N. Annadurai at Marina beach.
A government statement said it was "unable to allot space at Marina beach owing to several pending cases in the Madras High Court and legal complications."
Hence, the government is prepared to allot a two-acre site on Sardar Patel Road near the memorials to Rajaji and Kamaraj, it said.
Stalin appeals for calm
Meanwhile, Stalin made an appeal to DMK cadres to remain calm and to follow discipline in "this hour of grief."
He made the appeal hours after Karunanidhi passed away.
Stalin urged the cadres, who have been thronging the Kauvery Hospital ever since Karunanidhi was admitted there on July 28, to disperse in a peaceful manner as the doctors had treated his father to the best of their ability for nearly two years.
"I appeal to party office bearers to ensure that the cadres disperse in a peaceful manner", he said.
Stalin asked the cadres not to indulge in any activity that would bring a bad name to the deceased leader and not to damage public property.
He alleged that anti-social elements would try to take advantage of the present situation and said party workers should identify such people and hand them over to police.
Hailing DMK's 'military like discipline', Stalin said it was the duty of the cadres to offer full support to the policemen on duty.