The accused died by suicide and state BJP chief expressed suspicion that it could be a planned attempt to save the 'real' culprits.
Published Aug 23, 2024 | 12:56 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 23, 2024 | 12:56 PM
Dead. Representational Image
One of the accused in a case related to the sexual abuse of female students at an unauthorised NCC camp in the Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu allegedly died by suicide on Friday, 23 August.
Sivaraman attempted suicide by consuming rat poison and he was admitted to Salem Hospital for treatment by the police. However, he died before the treatment was started.
On Wednesday, the National Commission for Women (NCW) took cognizance of the case and directed the state Director General of Police (DGP) to ensure a fair, time-bound investigation, booking the accused under relevant laws. The commission further demanded a detailed action taken report from the police and the state government within three days.
The state government had also formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case.
Meanwhile, BJP Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai expressed suspicion about the death since Sivaraman’s father Ashok Kumar also died in an accident the previous day.
“Both the deaths are suspicious. Sivaraman might have been killed for fear that Sivaraman might reveal the names of other key figures involved in the sex crime during the investigation by the Special Investigation Team,” Annamalai said in a post on X, written in Tamil.
“A strong doubt arises whether all those who were involved in the case have actually been arrested or whether the deaths of both the father and son were an attempt to save someone,” he questioned.
Annamalai urged the SIT to conduct a thorough investigation and bring out the truth in the case.
கிருஷ்ணகிரி மாவட்டம் பர்கூர் அருகே, தனியார் பள்ளியில் போலி என்சிசி முகாம் நடத்தி, பள்ளி மாணவியை பாலியல் வன்கொடுமை செய்த வழக்கில் கைதான, நாம் தமிழர் கட்சி நிர்வாகி சிவராமன், காவல்துறை சிறப்புப் புலனாய்வுக் குழு விசாரணைக்கு முன்பாகவே, எலி மருந்து சாப்பிட்டு, இன்று காலை…
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) August 23, 2024
Chief Minister MK Stalin, on Wednesday, consulted with the officials and ordered the formation of an SIT headed by the IPS officer, Bhavaneshwari.
Apart from the SIT, a multi-purpose committee header by Social Welfare Secretary Jayashree Muralitharan IAS has also been formed to consult with the children and parents affected by these incidents and take necessary measures to protect their welfare.
The committee will also investigate the circumstances, that led to the incident, to prevent such incidents in the future. A Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) was ordered to be set up.
A minor, studying in class eight was attending an “NCC” camp organised by the private school in Bargur, Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu where she was studying.
While the camp took place from 5-9 August, the assault had allegedly taken place on 8 August. However, the incident came to light much later.
The minor was allegedly woken up on the night of 8 August, taken to a scheduled place and molested. The camp was attended by 17 girls of whom, 12 other girls have also complained about inappropriate touch. A case has been registered under various sections including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and IPC 5o6.
The Tamil Nadu police on Sunday, 18 August, arrested 9 people including an NTK functionary.
Apart from the main accused — NTK functionary Sivaraman, five school correspondents, the principal and two teachers also have been arrested.
On Monday, 19 August, the police arrested the other two, making the number of accused 11.
“The police arrested 11 people including the prime suspect, who organised the camp and school authorities, in connection with the sexual assault of a girl and abuse at a fake NCC camp and POCSO cases registered against them,” collector Sarayu told reporters in Krishnagiri on Monday.
However, it was later clarified by the NCC headquarters that it did not conduct any NCC camp in that area and that the persons involved in the reported incident of sexual harassment of school girls attending the said camp have no connection with the NCC.
It is to be noted that NCC training camps are conducted from NCC headquarters, or coordinated by the NCC commanding officers. In this particular case, Sivaraman volunteered to provide training.
In this case, Sivaraman conducted the camp without permission under the pretext of volunteering to provide training.
Following the incident, the authorities have instructed the schools to get proper permission from the NCC authority if such training is to be conducted in schools.
