CBI to inquire into Madras HC violence

The Madras High Court ordered a CBI inquiry yesterday into the bitter clash between police and lawyers on its premises resulted in a complete mayhem Thursday, which was later been approved by the State government on Friday.

The Acting Chief Justice S J Mukhopadhaya suggested for a CBI inquiry which was agreed by the government last night, and a formal announcement was made in the State Assembly on Friday.

•   E-mail Article
•   Printer Friendly
•   Text-Size    

The High Court and subordinate courts in the HC complex also remained closed today on the order of ACJ.

Three committees have also been constituted to videograph and assess the damages inflicted to court buildings and vehicles parked inside the premises among other things.

The High Court also directed the state DGP and city police commissioner to inquire into the unfortunate incident and submit a detailed report with names of individuals and whether any member of the Bar was involved in the clash. The ACJ also asked the Court’s Registrar General to file a separate report.

How many police personnel were on duty during the boycott of courts by lawyers on the Sri Lankan Tamil issue? The ACJ also asked the police to inform the court.

For nearly three hours the premises had almost turned into a war-field where stone pelting by the lawyers forced the police to retaliate with tear gas and batons that resulted into injury of several persons. About 100 people were injured in the violence, including a judge A C Arumugaperumal Adityan, lawyers, policemen and TV journalists. Also a police station, which is located in the court premises, was set on fire.

The simmering situation could only be brought under control after the Rapid Action Force, the Special Action Group and the Tamil Nadu police commandos stepped in. The whole matter started with the presence of Janata Party leader and former Union minister Subramanyam Swami in the court.

Few lawyers led by S. Rajnikanth and others approached police station located inside the court premises complaining about Swami for making derogatory remarks against lawyers while passing through verandah. Swami had left the court unhurt before the clash.

Instead of listening to their complaints, some of the lawyers were detained by the police on the charge of assaulting Swami on Tuesday.

This led to harsh exchange of words between police and lawyers and soon resulted into fierce clash between them injuring many even those who tried to intervene.

Swami had been assaulted by a group of lawyers, supporter of the Tamils, on February 17 for being detractor of the LTTE.

After a month long boycott of courts for alleged indifference between the Centre and State on Sri Lankan Tamils plight, lawyers were back to work on Thursday.