Thoothukudi violence: Officials raid premises of lawyer Vanchinathan

Vanchinathan was arrested at Chennai airport last month on charges of instigating people to protest against the Sterlite Copper unit in Thoothukudi. He was also accused for inciting violence during the anti-Sterlite protest on May 22, in which 13 people were killed. After being arrested, Vanchinathan was lodged in Palayamkottai central prison.

During the violence that erupted on May 22, the victims were gunned down, over hundred others were injured and around 70 vehicles were torched. Many vehicles parked inside the Sterlite staff quarters, located adjacent to the Thoothukudi Collectorate, were also damaged and later subjected to arson attacks.

During the search operation led by Inspector of Police Suresh Kumar, who is the investigating officer, the team, comprising, 30 officials, seized some important material from the house, sources said. The team also checked whether banners and T-shirts used by the protesters during the anti-Sterlite rally were stored inside the house.

Meanwhile, fishermen from the coastal hamlets of Thoothukudi blamed Vanchinathan for the violence during the anti-Sterlite rally. To vindicate themselves and for legal assistance for protection, the fishermen recently submitted a petition to AWD Tilak, president, Thoothukudi Bar Association and also before the District Legal Service Authority.

Based on a directive from the Thoothukudi Court, the team conducted search in his residence and at his office, both in the same locality. The search operation began at around 10 am and lasted for about an hour. The entire operation was being video-graphed, said sources.