The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on May 15 criticised Pudukkottai officials for inaction during caste violence in Vadakadu, questioning the collector's absence at the scene. The bench, led by Justices Velmurugan and KK Ramakrishnan, sought CCTV footage from 4-7 May, covering the Mariamman temple festival and clashes. The court said officials were doing only white-collar work.