HC poser to govt on procedures followed prior to May 22 police firing

When a batch of public interest litigations (PIL) was taken up for hearing on Monday, a two-judge Division Bench of Justices CT Selvam and AM Basheer asked who gave permission to open fire and whether proper permission was obtained in writing or orally in advance for the police action. 

Stating that the police can open fire only after an order from the principal magistrate, the bench asked why the information of promulgation of prohibitory order promulgated under Section 144 of CrPC failed to reach the public. To this, the government counsel replied that police officials had taken the decision on their own, since the protesters turned violent and damaged public property, besides disturbing the public. 

On the prohibitory order, the counsel argued that a proper order was issued and it was in force from 8.30 pm on May 21, a day ahead of the massive rally. It was obvious that information regarding the order was publicised through TVs and was also published in newspapers in addition to announcement on social media.

The counsel also refused to prosecute all 243 cases, which were filed in connection with the violence, as a single case, citing that it would delay the process.

After hearing the arguments, the division bench directed the state government to submit documents about the review meeting pertaining to suspension of internet service before the court on Tuesday and posted the case for further hearing to another date.