SC appoints committee to probe into Chennai clashes

Taking a serious note over the police-lawyer unprecedented clashes last week at the Madras High Court premises, the Supreme Court on Thursday ordered a judicial probe into the incident to be headed by a retired apex court Justice B Srikishna.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan also asked Srikrishna to submit a detailed report within two weeks.

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The committee has also been advised to consider immediate action against the responsible police officers on whose order cops entered the high court premises and indulged in clashes with lawyers.

The Bench also ordered the Tamil Nadu government to transfer four top cops responsible for the police excesses against lawyers, including a joint commissioner of police and three DCPs. However, the Bench set aside the demand for their suspension saying it would be against the morals of bureaucracy.

‘No armed police will enter the court premises hence,” the Court directed and asked the state government to bear expenses for the injured lawyers’ treatment and to compensate those lawyers whose vehicles were damaged.

The Court also directed the state to remove police station immediately located in the High Court’s premises.

The Bench also consented to the inquiry being carrying out by the two committees set up the Tamil Nadu High Court to assess the damage to the vehicles and the properties of the court and to look into the injuries caused to the lawyers.

The SC, however, refused to entertain AIADMK’s petition seeking President’s Rule in the state stating, “We are not Governor to order 356 remedy.”

Earlier on Wednesday, the apex court had given 24 hours deadline to the Tamil Nadu government to inform at whose order the police had entered the court’s premises on 19th Feb.

Amid scores of burning questions with which the Court rapped the State administration for its reckless approach, the Court once again asked: “who was the delinquent officer who ordered entry of police into the Madras High Court premises and use of force against agitating lawyers.”

The violence on Thursday (Feb 19) broke out after police arrested some of the lawyers on the charge of assaulting Janata Party president Subramaniam Swamy in the court (Feb 17). Exchange of harsh words between the two sides soon resulted into fierce clash after lawyers started pelting stones on police and the latter then retaliated with batons and tear gas. A judge, many lawyers and police personnel were injured in the violent clash. Swamy was accused for passing derogatory remarks against lawyers and being detractor of the LTTE.