The NCW further demanded a detailed action taken report from the police and the state government within three days.
Published Aug 21, 2024 | 11:56 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 21, 2024 | 2:37 PM
Sexual assault of minor (Creative Commons)
The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Wednesday, 21 August, following a media report titled “13 girls sexually abused at fake NCC camp”, took suo motu cognizance of the sexual assault case in an “NCC camp” at a private school in Bargur, Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu.
The NCW directed the DGP Chennai 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.
National Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report titled “13 girl sexually abused at fake NCC camp” from Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu. The commission has directed DGP Chennai to ensure a fair, time bound investigation, booking the accused under relevant…
— NCW (@NCWIndia) August 21, 2024
Chief Minister MK Stalin, on Wednesday, held a consultation with the officials and ordered to form a SIT headed by the IPS officer, Bhavaneshwari.
The SIT will carry out a thorough investigation into the issue, and take appropriate action against all those involved.
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.
Chief Minsiter Stalin holds a meeting with the officials. (Supplied)
The committee will also investigate the circumstances, that led to the incident, so as to prevent such incidents in the future. A Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) has also been ordered to set up
The committee will have State Social Welfare Commissioner Johnny Tom Varghese IAS, Director of School Education Latha, Krishnagiri District Child Welfare Officer Arvind, psychiatrists Poorna Chandrika and Sathya Raj, Police Inspector Latha and child welfare activist Vidya Reddy as members.
The chief minister further ordered to expedite the investigation to conclude in 15 days. He further ordered them to file a crime report within 60 days and bring the culprits to justice.
A minor, studying in class eight was attending an “NCC” camp organised by the private school 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 POCSO 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.
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula, with inputs from PTI)
