The Supreme Court today stayed a ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-sponsored bandh in Tamil Nadu on the Setusamudram project issue slated for tomorrow.

After three hours of arguments on a petition filed by the All India Anna DMK, a bench headed by Justice B N Aggarwal stayed the bandh called tomorrow or on any other day.

The court had especially met on a Sunday, a rare occurrence, to dispose of the AIADMK's petition.

The AIADMK has filed the SLP, after the Madras high court yesterday declined to interfere with the party's plea for restraining the ruling combine from going ahead with the bandh call.

In the SLP, the AIADMK had contended that the proposed bandh was unconstitutional and violative of the apex court's directive on the issue.

Seldom does the apex court take up for open hearing on any matter on Sundays and holidays unless the issue involved is of grave importance.

The AIADMK has sought special hearing of its SLP on the plea that its petition would become infructuous if no decision was taken before Sunday.