The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday ordered CB-CID probe into the incident pertaining to the attack on activists at Arappor Iyakkam’s public hearing on the impact of indiscriminate quarrying in Tirunelveli in 2025.

The court was hearing a petition filed by convenor of Arappor Iyakkam Jayaram Venkatesan and senior advocate V. Suresh. The petitioners sought the transfer of the investigation into the incident to CB-CID.

On November 2, 2025, Arappor Iyakkam organised a meeting at Kokkirakulam to know the grievances of the farmers affected by illegal quarrying operations in Tirunelveli district.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Suresh. A panel of experts from various fields were present. A group of 25 to 30 lawyers entered the meeting hall and intentionally and violently attacked the organisers of the meeting in order to stall the meeting. They claimed to be the representatives of quarry operators. Mr. Suresh was attacked with a plastic chair and he sustained injury.

The petitioners said the police personnel who were present remained mute spectators and did not take any steps to prevent the incident. Mr. Venkatesan lodged an e-complaint to Palayamkottai police. The grievance of the petitioner was that without considering his complaint, a case had been registered through a Head Constable who was on patrol duty at the place of occurrence.

Justice B. Pugalendhi said the State is expected to defend the victims. It is the State alone that has been provided with the power of investigation. The purpose of the investigation is to find out the truth. However in this case, it appears that Palayamkottai police have acted in a biased manner. The right to a fair investigation is also a fundamental right accrued on the victim under Article 21 of the Constitution. The court said it is a fit case for transfer of investigation and directed the CB-CID to ensure the final report is filed in three months.