On 8 July 2024, the Madras High Court expressed concern over the CB-CID’s failure to make any arrests two years after human waste was found in the Vengaivayal water tank.
The incident occurred on 26 December 2022, in Vengaivayal village near Pudukottai, where human faeces was reportedly mixed into the public drinking water tank. This shocking event drew national attention and led to a complaint being filed with the Vellanur police. The investigation was later handed over to the CB-CID. However, the absence of any arrests has sparked ongoing debates in Tamil Nadu’s political circles.
In response to the situation, Rajkamal from Veppampatu in Tiruvallur district filed a public interest litigation in the Madras High Court, requesting the case be transferred to the CBI. In March 2023, the High Court ordered the formation of a one-man inquiry committee, led by retired High Court judge Sathyanarayanan, to investigate the incident. The case was revisited on 16 April 2024 by Chief Justice Gangaburwala and Justice Sathyanarayana Prasad. During this session, the government’s lawyer stated that the police expected to complete their investigation within three months, leading the judges to adjourn the trial to 3 July 2024.
The case came up for hearing on 8 July 2024 and was heard by Chief Justice Mahadevan and Justice Mohammad Sabiq. Advocate Mani, representing the petitioner, criticized the lack of action, noting that no arrests had been made despite two years passing since the incident.
In response, Additional Chief Advocate Ravindran reported that 389 individuals had been questioned, voice sample tests conducted, and notices sent to three suspects. He assured the court that arrests would follow once sufficient evidence was gathered.
Hopeful of achieving a breakthrough in the case within two weeks, the law officers urged the court to grant them a fortnight to report progress. They informed the judges that their predecessors had appointed a one-man inquiry commission headed by retired High Court judge M. Sathyanarayanan, who had so far submitted only an interim report.
“The interim report has already been presented to this court. We are awaiting the final report,” stated the Additional Advocate General (AAG), requesting additional time for the CB-CID to complete their investigation. The Division Bench accepted this request and adjourned the PIL petitions for two weeks, stipulating that the investigating agency must show substantial progress and not seek further adjournments without significant developments.
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