Thoothukudi probe panel: Rajinikanth exempted from personal appearance, to submit written answers

Tamil movie actor Rajinikanth has been exempted from personal appearance on Tuesday by the Aruna Jagadeesan Commission of Inquiry.

The one person commission was set up by the Tamil Nadu government to probe the violence and subsequent police firing that killed 13 people during the anti-Sterlite copper smelter plant in Thoothukudi in May 22, 2018.

Speaking to reporters, Rajinikanth's advocate Illambharathi said the actor has been exempted from personal appearance on Tuesday and a list of questions for him has been received in a sealed cover.

Rajinikanth has to answer the questions in writing and submit it to the Commission.

However, the exemption for personal appearance is only for one occasion and the actor has to appear in person before the Commission, if summoned again.

The Commission had summoned Rajinikanth to appear before it on February 25.

Seeking exemption from his personal appearance as it would inconvenience the general public, Rajinikanth suggested to the Commission that he would answer written questions.

After visiting the injured people in Thoothukudi hospital in May 2018, Rajinikanth had told reporters it was anti-social elements who indulged in arson and violence in Thoothukudi during protests against a Sterlite factory that led to the death of 13 people in police firing.

He said the Thoothukudi protests on May 22 turned violent only after police were attacked by anti-social elements, adding he would not accept an attack on the police.

Rajinikanth also said, as it happened during the Jallikattu demonstrations, miscreants infiltrated the movement in Thoothukudi where a peaceful protest was being organised against the Sterlite Copper smelter plant of Vedanta Ltd.