Due to the ghastly nature of the tragedy and the enormity of casualties, the probe was handed over to a senior police officer of the rank of Additional Superintendent of Police.
The Kumbakonam East police station registered a case under Sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) read with 120-B (conspiracy), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), 465 (forgery), 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter) and 199 (false statement made in declaration) of the Indian Penal Code, besides Section 23 of the Juvenile Justice Act, Sections 46 and 47 of the Tamil Nadu Recognised Private Schools (Regulation) Act, 1973, and Section 320 of the Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act.
The charge sheet runs to about 5,000 pages.
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Although there were 501 witnesses, the prosecution examined 230, including John Nicholson, the then Additional Superintendent of Police, Thanjavur.