Madras HC refuses to order fresh post mortem of 6 people killed by AP police

Protest continues across the State against Andhra Pradesh Government

Madras High Court today refused to order fresh post mortem of the people who were killed in an encounter by Andhra Police on Tuesday morning. Twenty people were killed during the encounter.

Meanwhile MDMK leader Vaiko and 150 of his supporters were taken into preventive custody by Tamil Nadu Police when he tried to enter Andhra Pradesh.

Madras High Court's Order came in response to a petition filed by Muniammal, wife of Sasikumar who was killed by Andhra Pradesh police on Tuesday.

The Court has said that it doesn't have the required jurisdiction, considering the incident (firing) had happened in Andhra Pradesh. The Court advised the petitioner (Muniammal) to implead in the case, which is being heard by Andhra Pradesh High Court. It may be noted, Human Rights activists have filed a case in the the Andhra Pradesh High Court on the encounter. The Madras High Court also advised the petitioner that she can also approach the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court refrained from taking suo motu cognizance for ordering independent probe by CBI or a special investigation team into the controversial encounter in Chittoor district but allowed filing of a petition in this regard.

Meanwhile the Advocate General of Tamil Nadu told the Court that the Government is ready to do a post mortem, if the Court directs. The Court ordered that the remains of six to be preserved in a mortuary.

The six bodies will be preserved in a mortuary in Thiruvannamalai District Headquarters government hospital, 170 km from Chennai, until tomorrow.

Counsel for the petitioner K Balu submitted in court that apart from the bullet injuries, there were cut injuries also on the body of Sasikumar. He further added that chemicals were also spread on the body.

Protests continues across the state for a third day in  a row against the Andhra Pradesh police operations across the state.

On Thursday, outlet of retail chain Heritage Foods, where Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is the founder chairman and Andhra Bank were attacked by the activists. Following the protest, Andhra Bank has announced that the ATMs of the Bank will not operate during the night times in the state till protest ends.

AIADMK supremo and former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, meanwhile, broke her silence by raising doubts over the genuiness of the "encounter". She urged Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister M Chandrababu Naidu to launch a fact-finding probe and initiate action based on it. She also announced that the AIADMK will give Rs 3 lakh to the people who died in the encounter.