The Madras High Court on Friday asked the Government Pleader to seek instructions from the State and file a counter affidavit detailing the steps taken by authorities in connection with a caste clash that took place in Paralipudur village, Dindigul district, in February.
When a writ petition filed in public interest by P. Pugalenthi, an advocate, came up for hearing, the First Bench, comprising Chief Justice M.Y. Eqbal and Justice T. S. Sivagnanam, asked the petitioner to implead the District Collector and Superintendent of Police as respondents. He had cited only the Home Secretary and Director General of Police as respondents.
Mr. Pugalenthi contended that a caste clash had taken place at Paralipudur between caste Hindus and members of a Scheduled Caste over the hoisting of flags of the DMK and the Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi.
On February 13 last, 82 houses belonging to the Scheduled Caste members were burnt and their property and livestock worth lakhs of rupees were destroyed. Almost all SC families in the village were rendered homeless. He sought a judicial inquiry into the incidents, a direction to the government to take suitable steps for rehabilitation of victims and adequate compensation for them.
In its order, the Bench said the Government Pleader should seek instructions and file a counter-affidavit stating specifically what steps had been taken against the accused and for the rehabilitation of those affected. The case was adjourned by three weeks.
