[Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy]: Madras High Court Transfer Probe To CBI Into Loss Of 68 Lives

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A Bench comprising Justices D. Krishnakumar and P.B. Balaji issued the directive in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by IS Inbadurai, the legal wing secretary of the AIADMK, along with others, seeking a CBI investigation into the incident.

[Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy]: Madras High Court Orders CBI Probe Into Loss Of 68 Lives

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Wednesday(20th Nov) ordered the Tamil Nadu Crime Branch-Crime Investigation Department (CBCID) to hand over the investigation into the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The tragedy resulted in approximately 67 deaths due to the consumption of spurious liquor.

A Bench comprising Justices D. Krishnakumar and P.B. Balaji issued the directive in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by IS Inbadurai, the legal wing secretary of the AIADMK, along with others, seeking a CBI investigation into the incident.

The Court had earlier criticized the authorities for failing to prevent the tragedy, especially since a similar incident had occurred in neighboring districts the previous year. It also observed that reports in local newspapers and by a YouTuber weeks prior had highlighted the illegal availability of spurious liquor in the region.

The Advocate General (AG) opposed the transfer of the investigation to the CBI, arguing that the state had taken all necessary measures to prevent such incidents. He informed the court that the Superintendent of Police had been suspended, and the ADGP (Enforcement) had been reassigned.

Additionally, the Chief Minister had appointed a one-man commission led by Justice (Retd.) B. Gokuldas to examine the issue and recommend further actions.

The AG further stated that the CB-CID had already completed its investigation, arrested 24 individuals, and was prepared to file a charge sheet. He noted that the source of the methanol had been identified, witnesses had been questioned, and the agency was awaiting serology and toxicology reports before finalizing the chargesheet.

The AG contended that transferring the case to the CBI at this stage would be counterproductive, as the agency would need to restart the investigation from the beginning.

Updates on the Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy

The Kallakurichi District Collector provided an update on the incident, revealing that out of 193 individuals who consumed the spurious liquor, 140 are currently in stable condition. “A total of 193 people were admitted to the hospital. While 140 are safe, some remain on ventilators. Tragically, 53 individuals have lost their lives,” he stated.
Tamil Nadu authorities have arrested seven individuals in connection with the tragedy. The state government has also announced a rehabilitation program for bootleggers who wish to reform after serving their sentences, allocating Rs 5 crore to support the initiative.
In the aftermath of the incident, 250 liters of illicit liquor were seized and destroyed in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchirapalli district as part of intensified efforts to crack down on illegal alcohol production.

Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy: Political Controversy

During a session in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced that the state government would fully fund the education and hostel expenses of children orphaned due to the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy.
The Tamil Nadu Assembly descended into chaos on Friday when AIADMK leaders demanded a debate on the tragedy, leading to loud protests and disruptions.
Protesting the government’s handling of the incident, AIADMK legislators staged a walkout from the Assembly. Earlier in the day, they were evicted from the House after holding a sit-in demonstration.
AIADMK members, dressed in black, raised slogans against the state government in the Assembly, calling for Chief Minister Stalin’s resignation over the tragedy.
BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla criticized CM Stalin and the DMK government, referring to the tragedy as “state-sponsored murder.” He accused the DMK of shielding the culprits and remarked, “DMK means ‘Do Nothing, Muzzle Everyone, Kill Everyone’ through illicit liquor.”
The incident, which occurred on June 19, claimed 53 lives after victims consumed methanol-laced illicit liquor.
CM Stalin also announced compensation of Rs10 lakh for the families of each deceased victim and Rs 50,000 for those undergoing treatment.

Case Title: IS Inbadurai v The Chief Secretary and Others