62 Law Professionals Write to TN Govt; Condemn Attack on PUCL’s Dr V. Suresh, Demand Swift Action

Chennai: Over 60 legal professionals from across India have written to the Chief Minister and Home Minister of Tamil Nadu, the Director General of Police, the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, and the Tamil Nadu State Human Rights Commission, strongly condemning the physical assault on human-rights defender and senior advocate Dr V. Suresh of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL).

In a joint representation, members of the National Alliance for Justice, Accountability and Rights (NAJAR) expressed grave concern over the “premeditated attack” on Dr. Suresh and members of the Arappor Iyakkam during a peaceful public hearing on alleged illegal quarrying in Tirunelveli district on November 2, 2025.

The group demanded urgent institutional action to uphold the rule of law, including prompt registration of a detailed FIR under all relevant sections, naming all perpetrators and accomplices. They also sought the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) monitored by a retired judge of the Madras High Court to ensure independence and public trust.

The letter emphasised that police officers present at the spot must face suspension, departmental proceedings and criminal prosecution for failing to prevent the assault. It also called for an inquiry into the failure of prior police intelligence.

Calling the attack on Dr. Suresh “a direct assault on democratic values and human-rights defenders”, NAJAR urged the Tamil Nadu government to provide immediate protection to Dr. Suresh, Mr. Jayaram, and other PUCL and Arappor Iyakkam members.

The signatories asserted that the incident also demands a strong response from the legal fraternity. They called upon the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to initiate disciplinary action against the advocates involved and pass a resolution reaffirming the need to protect the independence and dignity of the legal profession.

“An advocate’s robe must remain a symbol of courage — not a target of violence,” the representation stated. A total of 62 members of NAJAR signed the letter.