On 21 June 2024, the Madras High Court directed the Tamil Nadu government to explain why the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, which has resulted in 52 deaths thus far, occurred despite earlier incidents where 22 lives were lost due to consuming illicit liquor in Marakkanam, Villupuram district, and Chengalpattu district last year. Justices D. Krishnakumar and K. Kumaresh Babu questioned whether the authorities had learned from previous incidents and implemented any preventive measures to avoid such tragedies. These concerns arose during a hearing on a petition seeking a CBI investigation into the Kallakurichi incident.
The plea was filed by AIADMK’s legal wing secretary I.S. Inbadurai in the public interest. His lawyer, D. Selvam, accused the State government of negligence despite AIADMK MLA M. Senthilkumar’s specific motion on March 29, 2023, addressing the issue of counterfeit liquor sales.
Justice Kumaresh Babu instructed Advocate General P.S. Raman to ensure that a comprehensive action report is submitted to the court by June 26. This report should outline the steps taken by the state government following the legislative motion and detail the fatalities from the previous year. Justice Krishnakumar also reminded the Advocate General of earlier reports, including news articles and YouTube channels exposing widespread illegal liquor sales in Kallakurichi and across the state, often with the complicity of officials.
In response, the Advocate General (AG) informed the court that following the incidents in Marakkanam and Chengalpattu, the investigation was transferred to the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB CID). As a result, several individuals were arrested and some were detained under the Goondas Act. Additionally, action was taken against police personnel implicated in the matter. The AG highlighted that in the aftermath of the Kallakurichi tragedy, the Collector was transferred and the Superintendent of Police was suspended. Furthermore, the Additional Director General of Police and the Superintendent of Police in the Enforcement Bureau CID were also reassigned.
The AG informed the court that the government had appointed a one-man commission led by retired High Court judge B. Gokuldas to conduct an inquiry into the Kallakurichi incident. This commission is tasked with making recommendations on measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Regarding the medical response, the AG stated that 162 doctors had been deployed to treat patients in Kallakurichi, with 89 patients currently in stable condition. He noted that just over 20 patients remained in critical condition. In response, the judges directed the state to ensure that these patients receive the best available medical care.
The judges stated that a final decision on the plea for a CBI investigation would be made after the state government submits a detailed counter affidavit to the current public interest litigation petition by 29 June 2024. They also requested an action taken report detailing the preventive measures implemented following last year’s hooch tragedies.
(With Inputs From The Hindu)
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