The Delhi High Court today left it to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to decide a lawyer's representation for an independent probe into the deaths in police firing during the protests against Vedanta's Sterlite Copper unit in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin district.
Since the NHRC has already sought a report from the state's chief secretary and the director general of police (DGP), the Tamil Nadu-based lawyer can appear before the Commission to obtain suitable directions, Justice Rajiv Shakdher said.
"Let the represenation be placed before the NHRC for directions on May 29," the court said and disposed of the plea by advocate A Rajarajan.
Violence broke out on May 22 during protests demanding the closure of the factory over pollution concerns with police opening fire, resulting in the death of 13 people. The agitation has been going on for over three months to demand closure of the factory.
Appearing for Rajarajan, advocate Sabarish Subramanian said his client has sought a probe which was independent of the control of the DGP or the chief secretary as they were allegedly responsible for the orders to the police to open fire on the protestors.
However, the judge did not accept the argument, saying "I know who the chief secretary is. She is a fine officer."
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