Thoothukudi firing cannot be justified: Madras HC

The Madras High Court bench here today observed that the police action during the anti-Sterlite protests could not be justified and directed that three deputy tahsildars, who had reportedly ordered the firing during the stir, be impleaded as respondents and issued notice to them.

A division bench of justices C T Selvam and Basheer Ahamed was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition, seeking a CBI probe into the firing and violence in Tuticorin district last month, which claimed 13 lives.

The judges, terming the firing "unfortunate", said the police action could not be justified and asked the deputy tahsildars to file their counter.

During the arguments, the petitioner's counsel sought registration of murder cases against the deputy tahsildars, saying the firing could not be justified.