The State government has informed the Madras High Court that all 248 cases pending against the anti-Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant activists have been closed and none is pending. The Tamil Nadu government made the submission before Justice M.M. Sundaresh responding to a petition moved by anti-nuclear activist S.P. Udayakumar seeking a direction to the government to withdraw the rest of 32 cases out of a total 248 cases registered against the activists as per the statement made by the authorities before the Supreme Court.
“A total number of 349 cases were registered against anti-nuclear activists at Kudankulam. Out of the said 349 cases, 248 were identified for withdrawal. Through a Government Order dated October 9, 2014, as many as 213 cases were withdrawn. Three cases were disposed by the lower court. As the remaining 32 cases were only under investigation, the said cases were treated as action dropped,” the government explained in its counter affidavit.
Recording the submission, the judge directed the Principal Secretary, State Home Department to send the particulars of these 32 cases to the petitioner.
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In November 27, 2013 the High Court declined to direct the Tamil Nadu government to withdraw over 300 criminal cases registered against the activists observing that those concerned could move the Supreme Court for remedy.
The PIL petition was moved based on the direction of the apex court dated May 6, 2013 on the feasibility of commissioning Kudankulam nuclear power plant. In the order, the SC noted that endeavour should be made to withdraw all criminal cases filed against the agitators so that peace and normality be restored at Kudankulam and nearby places. Subsequently, the activists moved a special leave petition before the SC.