Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court has made a major ruling in the Karakulic liquor scandal. The court upheld the Madras High Court’s order directing the CBI to investigate the liquor scandal. Meanwhile, in a huge blow to the government, the SC dismissed the Tamil Nadu government’s appeal against the High Court’s November 21 order. After the SC takes this decision, the CBI will investigate the case.
On November 20, the Madras High Court had ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the investigation into the Kalakurich liquor tragedy. During June and July, 68 people lost their lives in Tamil Nadu. Despite so many lives lost, the police failed to take strict action and the High Court has ordered a CBI probe.
A two-judge bench passed the order
A bench of Justices D Krishnakumar and PB Balaji also heard AIADMK legal cell secretary IS Inabadurai, Social Justice Advocates Forum president K. The order was issued on a petition filed by Balu and another lawyer. The petitioners demanded a CBI probe into the poisoned liquor case. The petitioners argued that liquor tragedies have become a recurring problem in Tamil Nadu and previous CB-CID investigations failed to act as a sufficient deterrent.
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CBI has handed over responsibility for investigation
The bench has directed the CBI to investigate all three cases registered in this regard. During this period, the bench said that the Tamil Nadu police would extend cooperation to the CBI. In his petition, Imbadurai requested a CBI probe into the sale of fake liquor by the accused in Kalakurich area on June 19. The court then handed over the investigation responsibility to the CBI.
Police accused of ‘turning a blind eye’ to illegal alcohol trade
The court expressed concerns about how the sale of counterfeit alcohol was viewed by local authorities, saying the operation was carried out under the radar of police who appeared to turn a blind eye. Justice Balaji stressed that in order to ensure thorough and impartial investigation, it was necessary to hand over the investigation work from CB-CID to CBI. He accused police of “turning a blind eye” to the illegal alcohol trade.
