Thoothukudi firing incident fit case for CBI probe, observes High Court

The first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice PT Asha made the observation while hearing a plea moved by S Rajanikanth, president, Makkal Arasu Katchi.

Advocate General Vijay Narayan, appearing on behalf of the state, submitted that the government has already appointed a retired HC judge as a one-member commission to go into the incident and hence a probe by SIT or CBI was not required. However, the bench on directing the state to file its counter and the petitioner his rejoinder, posted the matter for further hearing to July 6.

Rajanikanth had contended that advanced gun models meant for use against enemies in a war were used by the police in the firing. Visuals of the incident revealed police taking positions atop a van to shoot down the protesters. This meant the shooters can only target the upper body of the protesters, clearly revealing that none of the norms were followed.

Expressing apprehension that the government is trying to conceal the happenings by appointing a namesake committee, he sought the court to direct the state to constitute a SIT.

The vacation bench after directing the Home Secretary, TN, to consider the representation, ordered notice to CBI.

Provide limited access for safety audit: Sterlite to TN

The minor leak of sulphuric acid from a storage tank in the closed Sterlite Copper plant in Thoothukudi has prompted factory officials to yet again request the Tamil Nadu government to provide “limited access” to the unit and minimal power supply to take up “mandatory safety audits”.

Stating that its executives were assisting district authorities in handling the situation, the company said it had been requesting the state government “to give limited manpower access and minimal power supply so that mandatory safety audits can be carried out at the copper smelter.” “That request is still pending. We once again urge the government to give us at least restricted access to the copper smelter,” it said in a statement. The company pointed out that its officials have had no access to the plant ever since it was closed by the government in May.