Chennai: Upholding an order of a trial court, which acquitted nine persons accused in a case relating to a bomb blast on a tower transmitting power to Sterlite industries, Thoothukudi, the Madras high court has dismissed an appeal filed by Q-Branch challenging the acquittal.
Local residents raised apprehension over the establishment of the multi-crore copper smelting plant by Sterlite industries in Thoothukudi. They alleged that the functioning of the plant posed threat to environment and caused health hazard. Locals and political leaders staged series of agitation.
In the midnight of April 3, 1998, an unidentified group planted a bomb on a high tension tower which was transmitting power to the industry disrupting supply. The Q-Branch registered a case against nine TNLA members - Maran, 'Radio' Venkatesan, Uthirapathi, John Peter, Natarajan, Anishraja, Senthil, Amalraj and 'Mal' Kannan.
The special designated court for Bomb Blast cases, Poonamallee acquitted them. Challenging this, the Q-Branch preferred an appeal. Justice A.Selvam upheld the trial court order.
