NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, FEB 25
The inquiry committee that was appointed to inquire into the death of 13 civilians in Thoothukudi district during the anti-Sterlite agitation in May 2018 has given actor-politician Rajinikanth an exemption from appearing before the committee on Wednesday.
A summons was issued to the actor earlier this month by the Aruna Jagadeesan committee, nearly two years after he had claimed that the anti-social elements were responsible for the violence. The actor made the statement after he visited those who were injured in the violence on May 22, 2018.
Sources close to the actor confirmed that he had been exempted from appearing for Wednesday’s hearing. Appearing before the committee on Tuesday, the actor’s counsel had cited prior commitments on the date as well as public inconvenience on account of the star’s appearance before the committee. A questionnaire was given on Tuesday to the actor’s counsel in a sealed cover and the actor’s replies will need to be submitted in a few days.
Fresh summons will be issued for follow-up by the single-judge committee after he answers the questions. The exemption is only for the February 26 appearance.
A week after police firing killed 13 civilians in Thoothukudi district, Rajinikanth slammed “anti-social elements and toxic germs” for “infiltrating” the protests. May 22 was the 100th day of protests. With Section 144 clamped in the area, protesters marched towards the district collectorate in defiance, seeking the closure of the plant which has previously been pulled up by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board for pollution.
The actor was shooting in Hyderabad for his 168th film, tentatively titled ‘Thalaivar168’ produced by Sun Pictures.
