No evidence that Madras HC clash was pre-planned: CBI

The CBI on Friday said it has chargesheeted the accused policemen and advocates involved in the February 19 clash between lawyers and police in the Madras High Court premises, while admitting that there was “no evidence” that the incident was pre-planned.

Top officials of the investigating agency, which had filed the chargesheet in a local court here on January 12, told reporters here on Friday that they had named six policemen and 32 advocates including a law student in the chargesheet, but declined to reveal their identities.

CBI DIG Anurag said they had made no comments on the role of four top cops, including then city police chief K. Radhakrishnan in the incident, since the matter was sub-judice.

In two separate chargesheets, CBI has charged the police personnel under different sections such as voluntarily causing hurt and use of criminal force, besides provisions of Tamil Nadu Property (Prevention of Destruction and Loss) Act, 1992 which has been slapped against some advocates also.

“The accused policemen and advocates were found damaging public property (such as vehicles and buildings). We have material evidence to corroborate the allegations,” he said.

Some advocates have also been charged with criminal conspiracy.

While officials including CBI Additional Director General and spokesperson Harsh Bhal, CBI Joint Director Ashok Kumar and Anurag remained tight lipped on the provocation that led to the violence, Mr. Kumar, however, said “there is no evidence” that the incident was pre-planned.