Bhuvana Marni
Published on: October 13, 2022 at 11:45 IST
After the Revenue Authorities reportedly rejected his request for a community certificate for his son, he allegedly set himself on fire outside the mediation centre building inside the court grounds.
On Tuesday, a man who subsequently came to be known as Velmurugan lit himself on fire within the Madras High Court, causing a horrifying incident that was observed by many. He passed away from burn injuries at a hospital a day later.
He was brought to Rajiv Gandhi government hospital by the police officers on duty inside the courthouse, but despite their quick action, he passed away on Wednesday.
Later, the bar’s members urged the court to take Suo moto cognizance of the occurrence in a statement presented before Justice SM Subramaniam’s bench.
The son of the late Velmurugan, who belonged to the Narikuravar Community, had frequently made petitions to the Revenue Authorities, but the court was prima facie persuaded that he had been deprived of his community certificate.
Responding to citizen petitions for the issuing of Community Certificates is anticipated by the Authorities. A citizen cannot be pushed to chase after certificates of community involvement.
The court stated that various inconsistencies were brought to its attention even in the issue of awarding Community Certificates.
The court ruled that a community certificate was crucial for obtaining a reservation or other benefits. The individual killed himself within the courthouse out of aggravation over the certificate’s non-issuance, it was noted.
The court thus believed it essential to determine whether or not the right to obtain a Community Certificate was infringed.
The court will also look at the reasons why the Community certificate was not issued.
It has asked the District Collector in Kancheepuram District and the Commissioner for Revenue Administration in Chepauk, Chennai, to respond.
Additionally, the court ordered the petition to be given a number and presented to the Acting Chief Justice for listing for a hearing.
