Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Probe into police firing begins

— Photo: S. James

INQUIRY: S. Thirupathy, a retired district judge appointed to probe the police firing at E. Kottaipatti, interacting with the family of the deceased and the villagers on Saturday.

MADURAI: The one-man commission of inquiry led by S. Thirupathy, a retired district judge, to go into the police firing at E. Kottaipatti near Uthapuram in Madurai district, that claimed the life of a Dalit youth, visited the village on Saturday.

Preliminary inquiry included an on-the-spot study to find out the circumstances that led to the firing. Mr. Thirupathy inspected the spot where K. Suresh, 19, was killed and then went to the victim’s house to make enquiries with his parents V. Karuppiah and Muruga Devi.

Later, he interacted with the villagers, who were witness to the firing, at the office of the Village Administrative Officer.

They furnished photographs and news reports on the incident.

The victim’s parents, brother and a few villagers deposed before the retire judge. Many villagers alleged that there was large-scale discrimination on the part of the police and government officials against the Dalits.

Talking to The Hindu later, Mr. Thirupathy said: “It’s a preliminary inquiry, and if the commission feels it necessary to visit the village again, or if the villagers want me to visit, I will visit.”

He asked those having knowledge of the incident to testify. The last date for deposition would be extended, if there was a request from the villagers.

The commission had received no sworn affidavit yet from the public, Mr. Thirupathy said.

Those willing to testify could present affidavits between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any working day at the place of inquiry.

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