Madras High Court: Right for CBI to probe Sterlite firing

The Madras High Court on Monday observed that it would be right for the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe the May 22 police firing on anti-Sterlite protestors in Thoothukudi in which 13 people were killed.

The First Bench headed by Madras HC Chief Justice Indira Banerjee suggested that it would be right for the CBI to probe the matter while hearing a petition filed by advocate Rajinikanth seeking a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the firing. The court also suggested the petitioner to approach the CBI.

The bench ordered notice to the Tamil Nadu government seeking its reply by a week and adjourned the case to July 6 for further hearing.

On May 22 the protest turned violent which resulted in police firing in which 13 people were killed.

As the incident created a political furore in the state, the Tamil Nadu government ordered a judicial probe headed by retired High Court Judge Aruna Jagadeesan into the incident.

Work to contain chemical leak on

Thoothukudi district administration on Monday begun work on removing sulphuric acid that was found to be leaking from the storage units of the copper smelter plant on Sunday. “ All necessary security protocols are being followed,” said district collector Sandeep Nanduri.