Hc Seeks Counter Affidavit, Legal News, ET LegalWorld – Legal Firms

MADURAI: Madras high court on Friday directed the state government to file a counter affidavit on a batch of petitions challenging the premature release of 13 convicts in the Melavalavu massacre case in Madurai district. Six dalits were massacred at Melavalavu on June 30, 1997 by members of another caste following the election of a dalit as village council president.

As part of MGR centenary celebrations, the Tamil Nadu government released all the 13 convicts in 2019 citing good conduct. The court was hearing a batch of petitions filed before HC Madurai bench in 2019 by advocate P Rathinam and family members of the deceased challenging the premature release of the convicts.

A division bench of Justice M S Ramesh and Justice N Anand Venkatesh directed the state government to file a counter affidavit after it was informed that one of the convicts was involved in a double murder case.

The judges also directed the government to ascertain as to whether these 13 convicts were involved in any other cases registered by Melavalavu police under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The case was adjourned to November 29 for further hearing.