The Madras High Court has expressed surprise over the State government’s decision to pay Rs. 10 lakh as compensation to the families of the 65 victims who died in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. The first division bench, comprising acting Chief Justice R Mahadevan and Justice Mohammed Shaffiq, raised this query while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Mohamed Ghouse.

Ghouse’s PIL seeks to reverse the compensation order, arguing that consuming illicit liquor is illegal, and therefore, the government should not provide financial compensation to those who died from it. He contended that the State should offer solatium only to victims of accidents and not to individuals who engaged in illegal activities such as consuming arrack.

The petitioner questioned the basis on which the State granted such a substantial amount as compensation to the hooch tragedy victims, noting that significantly smaller amounts are typically provided to innocent victims of fire and road accidents. He further asserted that the consumers of illicit liquor are neither freedom fighters nor social activists and requested the Court to direct the government to reverse the compensation decision.

In response to these submissions, the bench expressed its own surprise at the government’s decision and directed the State counsel to obtain instructions on the matter. The case has been adjourned for further submissions in two weeks.