Controversy Over Compensation for Hooch Tragedy Victims in Tamil Nadu

A Public Interest Litigation has been filed in the Madras High Court challenging the Tamil Nadu government's order to provide Rs 10 lakh compensation to victims of the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. The petitioner argued that the compensation is unreasonable as victims consumed illicit liquor, an illegal act.

A Public Interest Litigation has been lodged in the Madras High Court against the Tamil Nadu government's decision to grant Rs 10 lakh compensation to the victims of the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy.

When the case, filed by Mohamed Ghouse, was heard on Friday, Acting Chief Justice R Mahadevan and Justice Mohammed Shafiq remarked that the compensation amount seemed excessively high. The case was adjourned for further hearing in two weeks.

Ghouse argued that consuming illicit liquor is illegal and that the state should not offer pity or compensation to those who succumbed to such acts. He further contended that solatium should only be given to accident victims and that the current compensation order appeared arbitrary and unjustified.