The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Clean chit to Minister Samy

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 21, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Clean chit to Minister Samy

Special Correspondent

Fishermen's claims `not substantiated' "Alleged damages are concocted for the purpose of this inspection"

CHENNAI : A District Judge-level inquiry officer, appointed by the Madras High Court to go into the alleged harassment of fishermen at KVK Kuppam near here by Fisheries Minister K.P.P. Samy and his kin, has given a clean chit to the Minister.

The Registrar (Vigilance) of the High Court, R. Mala, submitted her report before the First Bench comprising Chief Justice A.P. Shah and Justice K. Chandru on Tuesday. Ms. Mala said that 87 of the 97 witnesses examined by her came out with identical replies.

Videograph

Noting that she had taken photographs and a videograph during her visit, she said, "all were created for the purpose of this inquiry."

Pointing out that pet birds, kitchen and other materials at the scene were intact, she said, "it clearly shows that the alleged damages are concocted for the purpose of this inspection."

Despite heavy rains before the visit, the place was clean, with clothes and television sets intact, she said. The inquiry officer said electricity service, ration supply, service of notices and other facilities remained unaffected during the inquiry period, falsifying the claim that the fishermen were driven out of the village and were forced from their homes by the Minister and his kin.

Ms. Mala said the evidence tendered by several witnesses was not trustworthy and that the complaints were lodged due to previous enmity.

The First Bench has given time for the petitioner's counsel to study the report and file a reply. According to a public interest litigation petition, filed by K. Anjappan of K.V.K Kuppam near Tiruvottriyur, the Minister and his kin drove away 200 fishermen from their houses.

Claiming that there was absolutely no security for them if they returned to their residence, he asked for an interim compensation of Rs. 1 lakh and final damages of Rs. 5 lakh, besides deployment of paramilitary forces for security.

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