Case filed against CPI-M Thoothukudi Secretary quashed

The petitioner, Arjunan, in his petition, stated that during the protest held against Sterlite Copper, on May 22 in Thoothukudi, 13 individuals were shot dead by police and to condemn the police firing a public meeting, to be presided over by Brinda Karat, was scheduled on June 18.

Initially, the police refused to grant permission for the meeting but after the High Court gave permission the meeting was organised. Even though the High Court order allowed the participation of only 1000 people the meeting gathered 1,720 people, according to the police count, and so a case was booked against him. Apart from the excess crowd there was no other problem of law and order and the meeting was completed well on time. Thus, the case booked against him should be quashed, prayed Arjunan.

When the petition was heard by Justice G R Swaminathan, he directed the police to quash the case and to submit the subsequent report of the case to the district judge.

Another petition was filed by Arjunan along with few other injured people in the Thoothukudi firing incident, to the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, on Thursday, in which the petitioners had demanded CBI inquiry in Thoothukudi Police firing. They stated that they do not have faith in CBCID inquiry as they too are part of state police. However, when the petition was heard by Judges, C.T.Selvam, and Basheer Ahmed, they said that similar cases are pending at Madras High Court and so adjourned the case.