SC to hear plea seeking CBI probe into police firing

The Supreme Court on Friday said that hearing on lawyer G S Mani’s petition will be held on Monday, which seeks a CBI probe into the reported police firing on protesters at Sterlite plant in Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) district.

A bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar and Indu Malhotra said the court would not entertain any request for an urgent hearing, as advocate G S Mani sought urgent listing of his PIL filed after the police firing resulted into the death of more than 10 people and injuries to several others.

In his PIL, Mani termed the killings as “pre-planned murder” by highly influential state police officer and the then district collector with the help of the respondent state.

He sought direction to the CBI to register a case against the superintendent of police, Thoothukudi district, the then district collector and other unknown persons or police officers who were responsible for the murder of protesters. He also sought monitoring of the probe as there was a likelihood of the accused-officer influencing the investigation and tampering the evidence.

“The police fired at the civilian protesters as if they were terrorists. They did not follow the police rules as first they have to fire in the air then on the leg. The video clip and news item clearly shows that the police personnel have targeted the civilian protesters in the chest and head. So it is clear that it is the case of pre-planned murder,” he contended.

Besides seeking registration of murder case against police officers, the advocate also sought direction to pay compensation of Rs 50 lakh to the family members of the deceased and Rs 25 lakh to those injured in the incident.

He also sought an order to the state authorities to adopt lawful means to maintain law and order and to restore the internet service in the district of Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari of Tamil Nadu.