'Why no CBI probe into Thoothukudi firing?' asks Madras High Court

Murali Rambha, Thoothukudi SP, claimed that investigation by CB-CID was going on in a fair and impartial manner. There is no necessity to transfer the case to the CBI, she added.

A file photo of the violence during the anti-Sterlite protest in Thoothukudi

CHENNAI: Why can’t the Thoothukudi firing case be transferred to the CBI, the first bench of the Madras High Court has queried.

The bench of Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice P T Asha made the observation when the batch of PILs came up before the bench on Monday.

The PILs sought a court-monitored CBI probe into the May 22 and 23 firing, in which 13 anti-Sterlite protestors were killed.

Murali Rambha, Thoothukudi SP, in her 11-page counter-affidavit, claimed that the investigation by the CB-CID was going on in a fair and impartial manner. There is no necessity to transfer the case to the CBI, the SP said.

The Supreme Court has, time and again, emphasised that courts must self-impose limitations while considering such pleas for CBI inquiry,

“Apart from the CB-CID probe, a one-man commission by former High Court judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan is seized of the issue. The SHRC, NHRC, and SC/ST Commission are also probing the case,” the SP pointed out.

Referring to another prayer to book revenue officials under section 302 (murder) of the IPC, the officer said that the relief is unsustainable. The police officials and revenue officials acted pursuant to the lawful orders issued by the competent authority.

For having acted in good faith for upholding public order, a police official or revenue official cannot be charged with the offence of murder, the officer added. As far as compensating the families of the deceased, the state government initially announced Rs10 lakh for the kin of the deceased, Rs 3 lakh for seriously injured and Rs1 lakh for minor injuries.