On May 22, 2018, 13 people were killed in a police firing, during the protest against the Sterlite plant in Thoothukudi. A one-man commission headed by retired Tamil Nadu judge Aruna Jagadeesan is in charge of the investigation. The COVID 19 Situation has hampered the investigations so far, but is set to resume from January 2021.

It has been stated by the advocate of the commission that Superstar Rajinikanth will be summoned to appear in person and explain his statement. He was earlier summoned in February this year but he did not appear in person but rendered an explanation through his representatives.

Rajinikanth, who visited Thoothukudi after the shooting incident, had opined in an interview that anti-social elements were responsible for the violence in the Sterlite protest that resulted in the police firing.