‘What Was The Prohibition Enforcement Wing Doing?’ Madras HC Questions TN Govt’s Inaction In Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy

The Madras High Court strongly questioned the Tamil Nadu government during a hearing on petitions challenging the imprisonment of individuals under the Goondas Act in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy liquor death case. The court asked, “What was the Prohibition Enforcement Wing doing without stopping it?” The incident, in which 69 people died after consuming illicit liquor in Kallakurichi’s Karunapuram area last June, shocked Tamil Nadu. A total of 22 individuals, including liquor dealers, were arrested in connection with the deaths. The bench scheduled the final hearing for 6 January 2025.

Among those arrested in the case, 18 were detained under the Goondas Act. Their petitions to revoke the Goondas Act charges were heard by Justices S.M. Subramaniam and M. Jyothiraman of the Madras High Court. Tamil Nadu’s Attorney General, P.S. Raman, presented a response in the case and requested an adjournment until 6 January, for the final hearing. During the proceedings, the judges questioned the justification for applying the Goondas Act to all the arrested individuals. In reply, the Attorney General stated that they had been involved in the illegal sale of alcohol for years, and that the district had been in turmoil following the deaths from the poisoned liquor.

The judges then raised a critical question: “If illicit liquor sales had been ongoing for so long, what was the Prohibition Enforcement Wing doing to stop it?” They emphasized that the government’s failure to prevent this situation should also be considered. Subsequently, the judges adjourned the hearing until 6 January.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has upheld the Madras High Court’s decision to transfer the investigation of the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), rejecting the Tamil Nadu government’s appeal. The bench, comprising Justices Pardiwala and Mahadevan, stated that the CBI was the appropriate agency for the case due to its inter-state implications involving Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and other areas. The court emphasized that there were no obstacles to the CBI’s investigation, reinforcing the High Court’s ruling.

The Tamil Nadu government had argued that its police had made significant progress, including 24 arrests, tracing the methanol source, and examining key witnesses. The state also noted the appointment of a one-man commission led by Justice (Retd.) B. Gokuldas and the transfer of the case to the CB-CID, which was awaiting toxicology reports. However, the Supreme Court emphasized the need for an impartial investigation by the CBI, citing public dissatisfaction with previous investigations into similar hooch tragedies. Petitioners from AIADMK, PMK, and BJP had argued that systemic failures warranted a central investigation to ensure accountability and justice.

Subscribe to our Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram channels and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.