Social activist murder: Madras HC orders CB-CID probe

Lamenting that social activists get "punishment of death" for seeking truth, the Madras High Court Thursday ordered a CB-CID probe into the killing of a man, who fought against encroachments on water bodies in Vellore district of Tamil Nadu.

Expressing disappointment with the probe in the case by local police, the court set-aside the final investigation report, lower court order committing the case to the sessions and the charges framed.

Holding that a clear attempt was made to shield the main accused, Justice N Anand Venkatesh allowed the plea by brother of victim Thanikachalam seeking a CB-CID probe.

The judge observed that social activists were the most vulnerable sections in this society and there was absolutely no protection for them and more particularly, when they fight against people, who have money and muscle power.

Thanikachalam, a social activist who worked for water conservation, was allegedly murdered in 2014 by a gang in the midst of a legal battle he had initiated to evict encroachers from water bodies in Ambur region.

The judge said, "On carefully assessing the entire materials available on record, this court has no hesitation to come to a conclusion that the Ambur Police has not investigated this case effectively and a clear attempt has been made to shield the main accused persons."
Allowing the plea, Justice Anand Venkatesh said, "These social activists know the lurking danger waiting for them and in spite of the same, proceed to fight for the truth at the cost of their lives."
Referring to the lower court accepting the police report, he said, "This court is even more disappointed in the manner in which the committal court reacted in this case."