The Madras High Court on Wednesday has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to take over the probe into the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, which claimed 67 lives after victims consumed illicit liquor.
A division bench comprising Justices D. Krishnakumar and P.B. Balaji issued the order in response to a petition filed by AIADMK Legal Wing Secretary I.S. Inbadurai, K. Balu (President of the Advocates Forum for Social Justice), and another advocate.
The petitioners had urged the court to entrust the investigation to the CBI for a thorough and impartial inquiry into the incident.
The bench ordered the CBI to handle all three cases registered in connection with the tragedy. It also directed the CB-CID unit in Villupuram to transfer all relevant case files to the CBI within 2 weeks.
Additionally, the state police were instructed to fully cooperate with the central agency during the investigation.
In his plea, Inbadurai specifically highlighted the need for a federal investigation into the sale of illicit arrack in Kallakurichi district on June 19, which resulted in the mass fatalities. “A neutral and comprehensive probe is crucial to ensure justice for the victims and prevent similar tragedies in the future,” he argued.
The tragic incident shocked Tamil Nadu, raising concerns over the sale and consumption of spurious liquor in the region. The petitioners alleged lapses in enforcement and monitoring, calling for accountability at all levels.
The transfer of the case to the CBI marks a significant step in addressing the concerns raised about local authorities’ handling of the incident. With this directive, the central investigative agency is expected to uncover the larger network involved in the illicit liquor trade and bring the culprits to justice.
The court’s decision underscores the gravity of the tragedy and the urgent need to restore public confidence in law enforcement and judicial processes. The investigation by the CBI is anticipated to shed light on the circumstances that led to the incident and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
As the case progresses, the families of the victims and the public at large await the outcomes of a detailed and impartial investigation into one of Tamil Nadu’s most devastating hooch tragedies.
