Probe begins into violence during jallikattu protest

Justice Rajeswaran said he wanted to start the procedure of the inquiry, by visiting the sites where there were law and order situation, including Nadukuppam, where residents alleged that they were subjected to police brutality. 

“Though there is photo and video evidence, I wanted to pay a visit to the affected places. I started with the place of agitation opposite Vivekananda House during the pro-jallikattu protests. Then, I went to Nadukuppam, followed by Bharathi Salai, MMDA Colony and the CMRL stations at Arumbakkam and Vadapalani. We also did a site inspection of the Ice House Police station. It was helpful to see firsthand the places that were damaged on January 23,” he said. 

At Nadukuppam, Justice Rajeswaran met the local fishermen. “The fishermen and women folk requested for compensation. They said that the temporary fish market that was constructed after the earlier one was burnt down on January 23, was insufficient to meet their needs. I said the compensation can only be reviewed after the inquiry, while the government has already made provisions for rebuilding the fish market,” he added. 

The next step, said the retired judge, will start soon. “The office on Greenways Road will be ready in the next 10-15 days. After this, we will place advertisements calling the people to depose before me. The evidence will be recorded, affidavit filed and the other side should defend. Based on this, a report will be filed,” said Justice Rajeswaran. 

The fishing community here alleged that on January 23, following the forceful eviction of protesters from Marina, a few from the gathering ran into the hamlet. The residents said that the police followed the protesters, who were injured. The villagers, who were providing first-aid to the injured, were allegedly targeted by the police, who also started barging into the houses and damaging property.

The Madras High Court has disposed a PIL on Nadukuppam, which was allegedly subjected to police excess and the fishing market destroyed during the jallikattu protest, based on the State’s submission that a temporary fishing market has been constructed. The first bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M Sundar on recording the status report that temporary fishing market with 92 shops has been constructed by the fisheries department and also inaugurated at a cost of Rs 70 Lakhs and that a new fishing market with 92 shops is being established, disposed the plea. The PIL moved by Pugalenthi had contended that Nadukuppam fish market was vandalised by members of the police force for helping pro-jallikattu protesters.