Release of Melavalavu convicts irks HC

Government told to produce orders today

19/11/2019, B. TILAK CHANDAR,MADURAI

Expressing displeasure over the release of the 13 convicts in the Melavalavu massacre case, the Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday directed the State government to produce the orders passed in this regard.

A Division Bench of Justices S. Vaidyanathan and N. Anand Venkatesh directed the government to produce the relevant documents on November 19.

The court was hearing a petition filed by advocate P. Rathinam, who challenged the release of the convicts.

‘Why the hurry?’

The court wondered how the 13, convicted of a heinous crime, had been released.

With six people killed and two courts, including the Supreme Court, confirming the convictions, what was the hurry to release the convicts, the Bench asked.

Stating that there were limits to government orders, it pointed out that even in the Dharmapuri bus burning case, the convicts had been released.

The 13 convicts were freed in connection with the MGR centenary celebrations, on grounds of good conduct.