Press Release: 60+ Law Professionals from NAJAR Write to TN Authorities: Condemn Attack on Dr. V. Suresh of PUCL: Demand Urgent Institutional Action to Uphold the Rule of Law
napm india
4th Nov, 2025: A group of 60+ law professionals from across India wrote to the Chief Minister & Home Minister of Tamil Nadu, DGP, TN, Chairperson, Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and Chairperson, Tamil Nadu State Human Rights Commission today, strongly condemning the brazen physical assault on Advocate and human Rights defender Dr. V. Suresh of PUCL and demanded urgent institutional action to uphold the Rule of Law in the state.
The members of the National Alliance for Justice, Accountability and Rights (NAJAR), a collective of lawyers, law students, and legal professionals from across India, expressed strongest outrage at the pre-meditated physical assault on Advocate Dr. V. Suresh, National General Secretary of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), and the members of Arappor Iyakkam during a lawful and peaceful public hearing on illegal quarrying in Tirunelveli District on 2nd November 2025. They demanded prompt and firm action, as per law, against all those who perpetrated and are responsible for this attack.
The letter also stated that the role of the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry is crucial. The institutional voice of the Bar must rise in defence of its own independence. The brutal assault on Dr. Suresh demands immediate institutional action including disciplinary proceedings against the erring advocates to restore confidence that an advocate’s robe remains a symbol of courage, not a target of violence. The signatories further called upon the State Bar Council to adopt a resolution condemning the attack and reaffirming their commitment to protect advocates and the independence of the profession.
NAJAR members also demanded immediate registration of a comprehensive FIR under all relevant provisions naming all perpetrators and their accomplices. A Special Investigation Team monitored by a former judge of the Madras High Court must be constituted to ensure impartiality and public confidence. Police officers present at the scene who failed in their duty must face suspension, departmental action and criminal prosecution. The failure of prior police intelligence also needs to be inquired into. The Government of Tamil Nadu must extend immediate protection to Dr. V. Suresh, Mr. Jayaram and other members of the PUCL and Arappor Iyakkam team, enabling them to continue their lawful human-rights and ecological justice work without fear or intimidation.
The letter was signed by 62 members of the National Alliance for Justice, Accountability and Rights (NAJAR) from across India
E-mail: najarjus...@gmail.com
From: NAJAR Justice Forum NAPM <najarjus...@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2025 at 18:30
Subject: 60+ Law Professionals from NAJAR Write to TN Authorities: Condemn Attack on Dr. V. Suresh of PUCL: Demand Urgent Institutional Action to Uphold the Rule of Law
To: <cmc...@tn.gov.in>, <c...@tn.gov.in>, <cmhel...@tn.gov.in>, <deputyc...@tn.gov.in>, <minister...@tn.gov.in>, <minist...@tn.gov.in>, <c...@tn.gov.in>, <d...@tn.gov.in>, <sh...@tn.gov.in>, <sec....@tn.gov.in>, <con...@bctnpy.org>, <amalraj...@gmail.com>, <bcii...@gmail.com>, <prabakaran.p...@gmail.com>, Velu Kaarthikeyan <velukaar...@gmail.com>
Urgent Letter to TN Authorities from 60+ Lawyers and Law Professionals across India
Condemn Attack on Dr. V. Suresh of PUCL: Demand Urgent Institutional Action to Uphold the Rule of Law
Date: 4th Nov, 2025
To,
1. The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
2. The Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge, Home Department, Government of Tamil Nadu
3. The Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu
4. The Chairperson, Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry
5. Chairperson, Tamil Nadu State Human Rights Commission
Sub: Brazen Physical Assault on Advocate and Human Rights Defender Dr. V. Suresh of PUCL - Condemnation and Urgent Institutional Action to Uphold the Rule of Law
Respected Sir/Madam,
We, the undersigned members of the National Alliance for Justice, Accountability and Rights (NAJAR), a collective of lawyers, law students, and legal professionals from across India, express our strongest condemnation and outrage at the brazen and pre-meditated physical assault on Advocate Dr. V. Suresh, Senior Human Rights Defender and National General Secretary of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), and the members of Arappor Iyakkam during a lawful and peaceful public hearing on illegal quarrying in Tirunelveli District on 2nd November 2025. We demand prompt and firm action, as per law, against all those who perpetrated and are responsible for this attack.
Advocates hold a vital place in the constitutional framework as officers of the court, sworn to uphold the Constitution, the rule of law, and justice without fear or favour. Dr. V. Suresh has exemplified this oath through decades of service to human rights and civil liberties. The attack on him is, therefore, not merely on an individual, but on the constitutional role of advocates, the independence of the Bar, and the people’s right to seek justice.
On the other hand, the attack, carried out in full public view by some individuals who claimed to be advocates representing illegal quarry owners, is both unprecedented and shameful. When individuals claiming to belong to this noble profession commit such a violent and cowardly act, they desecrate the sanctity of the Bar and disgrace the robe that symbolises justice.
As has been widely reported, the perpetrators, led by Mr. Vinoth Kumar and Mr. Arogiyasamy, stormed into the public hearing around 11 a.m on 2nd November, violently disrupted the proceedings, and hurled chairs and threats at the panel and participants. One chair struck Dr. Suresh on the right side of his head, causing bleeding injuries. The severity of the attack could have caused grievous injury to Dr. Suresh, an elderly person. Despite the presence of police, there was complete failure to prevent or halt the violence. This is not mere negligence; it is dereliction of constitutional duty. It reflects an alarming collapse of institutional accountability and a disturbing tolerance for violence against those who defend law, rights, and environment.
The intimidation and violence was not spontaneous; it was premeditated, meant to crush a democratic process where affected villagers were testifying to the environmental devastation and corruption linked to illegal quarrying. This act represents a co-ordinated attempt by the mining mafia, operating with political clout, protection and impunity, to suppress truth, accountability, and constitutional freedoms.
The role of the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry is now crucial. The institutional voice of the Bar must rise in defence of its own independence. The brutal assault on Dr. Suresh demands immediate institutional action including disciplinary proceedings against the erring advocates to restore confidence that an advocate’s robe remains a symbol of courage, not a target of violence. We further call upon the State Bar Council to adopt a resolution condemning the attack and reaffirming their commitment to protect advocates and the independence of the profession.
We also demand immediate registration of a comprehensive FIR under all relevant provisions naming all perpetrators and their accomplices. A Special Investigation Team monitored by a former judge of the Madras High Court must be constituted to ensure impartiality and public confidence. Police officers present at the scene who failed in their duty must face suspension, departmental action and criminal prosecution. The failure of prior police intelligence also needs to be inquired into. The Government of Tamil Nadu must extend immediate protection to Dr. V. Suresh, Mr. Jayaram and other members of the PUCL and Arappor Iyakkam team, enabling them to continue their lawful human-rights and ecological justice work without fear or intimidation.
This moment calls for moral clarity and institutional courage. The attack on Dr. Suresh is not an isolated act of hooliganism; it is a warning to every citizen who dares to speak truth to power. If the State and its institutions do not respond decisively, the rule of law itself stands diminished. Govt of Tamil Nadu must show that it stands with justice, not with lawlessness and that it will protect those who defend rights, not those who destroy them. It is also high time that we have a strong legal framework for protecting human rights defenders as well as advocates who work in pursuit of constitutional rights and ideals.
We, the members of NAJAR, stand in unwavering solidarity with Dr. V. Suresh, Mr. Jayaram, PUCL and the Arappor Iyakkam team, and all human rights defenders. We call upon your offices to take urgent and exemplary action to restore faith in constitutional governance and reaffirm that in a democracy, violence can never silence the pursuit of justice.
Looking forward to fair action from your end,
Thanking you,
Members of National Alliance for Justice, Accountability and Rights (NAJAR)
Signatories: NAJAR Members from Across India:
1. Ashish Reddy, Lawyer, Hyderabad
2. Mohd. Kumail Haider, Advocate, High Court of Allahabad
3. Mohd Rehan, Assistant Professor, Karnataka State Law University, Hubbali
4. Rithvik Balanagraj B, Advocate, Bengaluru.
5. Pavan Kumar Pinninti, Advocate, Andhra Pradesh
6. Rosy, Law Student, Karnataka
7. Sagar Mudhol, Advocate, Kalaburagi, Karnataka
8. Maulik Tyagi, Law Student, Hyderabad
9. Ishika Hazra, Law Student, West Bengal
10. Arundhati Dhuru, NAPM
11. Ameya Deb, Law student, Bengaluru
12. Indira Unninayar, Advocate - Supreme Court, Delhi High Court and Mediation and Conciliation Centre
13. Pyoli, Advocate-on-record, Supreme Court of India
14. Priyanka Singh, Lawyer, Lucknow (U.P)
15. Katyayani Chandola, Lawyer, New Delhi
16. Ritesh, Lawyer, Delhi
17. Bhoomika Pandhare, Lawyer, Pune
18. Faiyaz Alam Shaikh (Mumbai), Advocate
19. Daniel, Advocate, Ernakulam
20. Disha D, Lawyer, Gujarat
21. Sara, Chennai, Professor
22. Manohar Rathod, Law Student, Karnataka
23. Ananya Aerra, Law Student, Hyderabad
24. Maansi V, Lawyer, Delhi
25. Geet Dahariya, Lawyer, Delhi
26. Apoorva Agarwal, Advocate/Legal Professional - Delhi High Court and Trial courts
27. Auronisha Roy, Law student, Kolkata
28. Madhura, Advocate, Chennai
29. Iswarya, Advocate, Chennai
30. Sabika, Lawyer, UP
31. Mandakini, Advocate, Hyderabad
32. Vanaja, Chennai, Advocate
33. Mustafa Haji, Lawyer, Ladakh
34. Asif Iqbal, Researcher from Assam
35. Ragam Rahul, Law Student, Bengaluru
36. Swastika Chowdhury, Advocate, High Court at Calcutta
37. Adv Vertika Mani, Organising Secretary, PUCL
38. Bhargav Oza, Lawyer, Ahmedabad
39. Sirishree I H, Advocate, Dharwad
40. GK Anser, Advocate, Ballari
41. Gayatri Singh, Sr Advocate, Bombay High Court
42. Shashwati Diksha, Pune, Advocate
43. Farha Qureshi, Advocate, Delhi
44. Mansha Sidhu, Advocate, Delhi
45. Taqdees Fatima, Advocate, Delhi
46. Amartya Choubey, Advocate, Jharkhand High Court
47. Akhil Surya, Hyderabad, Lawyer
48. Abhijeet Gautam, Law Student, Nalsar University of law, Hyderabad
49. Gaurav Cyclewalla, Advocate, DHC
50. Samaa, Law Student, Bastar University, Chhattisgarh
51. Adv Edgar Kaiser, Madurai
52. Adv Dr Shalu Nigam Delhi NCR
53. Purbayan Chakraborty, Advocate, Calcutta High Court
54. Anusha R, Lawyer, Baroda
55. Adv Dr. E. Premdas, Bengaluru
56. Shubham Kaushal, Lawyer, Ahmedabad
57. Shreya Panda, Law Student, Hyderabad
58. Afraaz Suhail, Advocate, Cuttack
59. Adv Vasudha Nagraj, Lawyer, Hyderabad
60. Adv Anju Rao, Lawyer, Hyderabad
61. Meera Sanghamitra, Member, NAJAR, Telangana
62. Raj Khan, Advocate, Sendhwa, Madhya Pradesh
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