High Court’s three posers to government on jallikattu violence

Justice R Mahadevan, before whom pleas moved by senior advocate R Gandhi, and advocate B Kumar seeking CBI probe into the police excess on protesters came up for hearing on Monday, made it clear to the Advocate General that the counter affidavit should contain answers as to why force was used against ‘peaceful’ jalikattu protesters in Marina. 

The third aspect the judge wanted an answer pertained to the allegation about injured protesters being denied treatment in government hospitals. Gandhi had submitted that the police totally failed to follow the guidelines set by the Supreme Court for handling or disbursing a mob. He contended that the state police cannot be allowed to probe their own case. 

Also, seeking adequate compensation to those injured during the violence, Gandhi wanted the court to restrain the police from using lathi against people. He also sought the court to call for the order passed by the police official concerned allowing police to use force against the protesters at Marina. Advocate K Balu who appeared for Kumar argued that the police version that some anti-social elements rented police uniforms and indulged in violence in the disguise of police should be viewed seriously. 

To this, Justice Mahadevan said, “Officials have failed to understand that such statements made by them would actually go against them.” Balu also pointed out that with S George, Commissioner of Police, justifying police action and providing financial aid to the injured police personnel, an independent investigation was required into the police excess. 

Meanwhile, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High had directed the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and DGP to file counter affidavit for a petition seeking judicial probe on police excess during the final stages of the jallikattu protests in Madurai district. 

Kanagavel, a lawyer based in Madurai claimed in his petition that many protesters were forcefully removed and were attacked mercilessly after being remanded in police stations. Most of the protesters were not produced before the Magistrate claimed Kanagavel. He petitioned the court to set up a judicial inquiry headed by a High Court Judge to inquire the police excess during the violence.