Justice Gokuldas (Retd) to probe Kallakurichi hooch tragedy

Kallakurichi (Tamil Nadu) [India], June 21 (ANI): Justice Gokuldas (Retd) on Friday said that he has started investigation into the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy in which several people died after consuming spurious liquor, adding that the report will be submitted in three months.
Notably, the Tamil Nadu government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy.
Retired Madras High Court judge Justice B Gokuldas is heading the one-man commission to probe the tragedy.
Since June 19 afternoon, at least 47 persons lost their lives in the Kallakurichi district of the State after they consumed spurious liquor on Tuesday evening, Tamil Nadu Director of Medical Education Sangumani said.
Over 100 people were hospitalised after being suspected of consuming spurious liquor, officials said.
"I just came to Kallakurichi hospital and started my investigation. I have spoken to a few patients now. Will complete and submit my report to the government. The government have given me three months, I will investigate and submit my report, "Justice Gokuldas (Retd) said.
Earlier in the day, Justice Gokuldas (Retd), met victims of the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy at Kallakurichi government hospital with Kallakurichi Collector MS Prasanth.
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin announced Rs 10 lakh each for the family of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each for the persons under treatment. A one-man commission, comprising former judge Justice B Gokuldas, announced for probing the matter, and the report to be submitted within 3 months.
The CB-CID of Tamil Nadu police, which was handed over charge of investigating the tragedy, commenced a probe under SP Shantharam.
Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of each of the deceased victims, with those under treatment to receive Rs 50,000 each.
Victims are undergoing treatment at the Kallakurichi Government Medical College and Hospital and in hospitals in Salem, Villupuram, and Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) in Puducherry.
On Thursday, Tamil Nadu BJP President Annamalai wrote a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah requesting a CBI inquiry into the deaths caused by the consumption of illicit liquor in Kallakurichi.
He said that the BJP party leader met all those family members who had lost their loved ones after consuming illicit liquor in Tamil Nadu's Kallakurichi district and added that the Tamil Nadu BJP would provide Rs 1 lakh to each affected family member.
"In the last 4 hours, we have visited all houses (families of the deceased). The Tamil Nadu BJP is releasing Rs 1 lakh each to the families of the deceased," he said.
Annamalai has also urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to personally meet the affected people in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy instead of just sending his son Udhayanidhi Stalin.
He also said that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, MK Stalin, in his 2021 election manifesto, said liquor sales will be decreased in Tamil Nadu in a phased manner; however, contrary to that, sales of liquor in Tamil Nadu are increasing by 18 to 20 per cent every year.
"CM, in his 2021 election manifesto, said liquor sales will be decreased in Tamil Nadu in a phased manner. But 18 to 20 per cent of sales of liquor in Tamil Nadu are increasing year by year... From the DMK side, it is deeply disappointing that CM MK Stalin has yet to come to Kallakurichi but he is sending his son Udhayandihi Stalin. Even in such a time, he wants to do dynastic politics," he said. (ANI)