Today, On 1st July, The Madras High Court initiated suo motu proceedings concerning the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, urging developmental efforts in the area. The Bench refrained from engaging in the current political dispute surrounding the incident.
Bombay: The Madras High Court took suo motu cognizance of the tragic incident involving the consumption of illegal hooch in Kallakurichi district of Tamil Nadu, which claimed the lives of 65 people so far.
A Bench comprising Justices SM Subramaniam and C Kumarappan expressed concern for the well-being of the people and emphasized the need to protect their constitutional rights.
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The Bench in its order on the suo motu case stated,
“This Court emphasizes the challenges faced by individuals drawn into illegal liquor production. Immediate action is required, with a focus on comprehensive measures for the economic and social advancement of the region, which is a constitutional imperative. It is incumbent upon all stakeholders to uphold and implement constitutional mandates, principles, and values in both letter and spirit,”
The Bench instructed the Madras High Court Registry to include the Secretaries of Union Ministries of Home Affairs and Tribal Welfare, along with the Chief Secretary and Tribal Welfare Secretary of Tamil Nadu, the Director General of Police (DGP) for Tamil Nadu, and the district collectors and Superintendents of Police from Kallakurichi and Salem districts as parties.
The bench stated, explaining the rationale behind initiating the suo motu case,
“Our effort is to safeguard their educational rights, economic status, and other essential needs,”
Additionally, it directed the Registry to present the suo motu case before the Acting Chief Justice for appropriate actions.
Highlighting the economic underdevelopment in the villages of Kalvarayan hills, largely populated by SC and ST communities.
The bench remarked,
“Owing to economic backwardness and unemployment, residents in these areas are compelled to produce illicit liquor for their livelihood.”
The bench further noted,
Although prohibition enforced in the state, the Kallakurichi tragedy resulted in loss of lives, particularly impacting the ‘vulnerable sections of society,’ necessitating, immediate action,”
The Bench stated,
“It did not want to involve itself in the ongoing political dispute over the incident, where the opposition has been accusing the DMK government of failing to control the sale of illegal liquor and prevent such fatalities.”
A Bench consisting of Justices D Krishna Kumar and K Kumaresh Babu currently addressing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) submitted by AIADMK members, challenging the DMK’s lack of action on the matter.
The court highlighted the economic hardships faced by the SC and ST communities in the Kalvarayan hills, where lack of employment and economic backwardness have forced residents to turn to illicit liquor production for survival. The bench emphasized the necessity of immediate and comprehensive measures to address these underlying issues, aiming to protect the educational rights, economic status, and fundamental needs of the affected communities.