CBI Begins Probe in Thoothukudi Anti-Sterlite Deaths

Barricades lie strewn after anti-Sterlite protests kill 11 and injure a dozen others.

(Photo: PTI)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday, 25 December, began a probe in the anti-Sterlite protests case in Thoothukudi, where 13 persons were killed in a police firing.

According to news agency ANI, the investigation agency has currently recorded the statements of the families of the 13 victims and the 40 others who were injured in the firing.

The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court had transferred all the cases pertaining to the incident of violence and police firing to the CBI in August. To this effect, the CBI filed its first FIR in the case against people affiliated with 20 organisations in and around Thoothukudi, The Times of India reported.

Apart from this, documents related to 15 weapons allegedly used in the firing have also been collected, sources told ANI. An examination of the TN police and revenue department officials is also underway.

Speaking to ANI, the sources revealed:

“Documents summoned from TN Police Dept includes, on whose order the 15 weapons were issued, who signed and collected these weapons and who ordered firing.”

CBI sources 

This comes only days after a Reuters report revealed that rules might have been flouted by the police during the firing.

A Reuters report on the autopsies states many of the 13 were killed by bullet wounds in the head or chest, even as the police rules for using firearms say, "aim should be kept low, preferably well below the waist level, and directed against the most threatening part of the mob”.

The anti-Sterlite protests on 22 May, also the 100th day of the protests, turned violent after the the police fired at 13 persons, killing them and leaving over 40 injured in the melee.