A PIL has been filed in the Madras High Court to quash the Tamil Nadu government's order to pay compensation of Rs 10 lakh to all the victims of the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, Chennai.
When the PIL filed by Mohammed Ghaus came up for hearing on Friday, a division bench of Acting Chief Justice R Mahadevan and Justice Mohammed Shafiq orally observed that the compensation amount was excessive and fixed further hearing of the case after two weeks.
He said that the victims were not freedom fighters or social workers who had lost their lives for the sake of the general public or the society and had committed any illegal act by consuming poisonous liquor.
According to Gaus, consuming illicit liquor was an illegal act. The State need not show mercy to those who consumed illicit liquor and thereby committed an illegal act and as a result became victims of such act.
He said that consolation should be given only to the victims of accidents and not to those who have committed illegal acts for their own happiness.
He said the order to provide compensation to all victims of the hooch tragedy was unfair and arbitrary and consumers of illicit liquor should be denied compensation and should not be treated like victims.
The petitioner said that it is not clear and fair on what basis the State Government is giving less relief to the victims of fire or any other accident and at the same time giving huge amount to the victims of the hooch tragedy.
When the PIL filed by Mohammed Ghaus came up for hearing on Friday, a division bench of Acting Chief Justice R Mahadevan and Justice Mohammed Shafiq orally observed that the compensation amount was excessive and fixed further hearing of the case after two weeks.
He said that the victims were not freedom fighters or social workers who had lost their lives for the sake of the general public or the society and had committed any illegal act by consuming poisonous liquor.
According to Gaus, consuming illicit liquor was an illegal act. The State need not show mercy to those who consumed illicit liquor and thereby committed an illegal act and as a result became victims of such act.
He said that consolation should be given only to the victims of accidents and not to those who have committed illegal acts for their own happiness.
He said the order to provide compensation to all victims of the hooch tragedy was unfair and arbitrary and consumers of illicit liquor should be denied compensation and should not be treated like victims.
The petitioner said that it is not clear and fair on what basis the State Government is giving less relief to the victims of fire or any other accident and at the same time giving huge amount to the victims of the hooch tragedy.
