HC: Only 500 can join firing anniv rally

A bunch of petitions were filed seeking permission to hold rally and organize meetings to mourn the loss. Last week, Fathima Babu sought permission to conduct such meeting in Thoothukudi.

After hearing, the bench granted permission with some conditions that the meeting should be convened with restricted participation of 250 persons for a period of two hours from 9 am to 11 am.

The bench also held that besides the proceedings, the meeting should also be videographed by police and the petitioner and the names of a list of attendees should be submitted to Thoothukudi Superintendent of Police.

As of now, a Division Bench of Justices J Nisha Banu and M Dhandapani, after hearing dismissed demands of petitioners citing that counting of votes is scheduled on May 23. However, the bench ordered that a total of 500 people could be allowed to attend.

It maybe recalled that in a shocking turn of events 10 protesters died in the police firing on the 100th day of protest against Sterlite copper, in Thoothukudi last year.