News Analysis India

Tag: Thanjavur

  • No stay on CBI probe in Thanjavur student suicide case

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay the January 31 order of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court transferring the probe into the suicide of a student in Thanjavur from Tamil Nadu police to the CBI. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Bela M Trivedi, which said the investigation will continue as per the HC order, issued a notice to the girl’s father seeking his response to a plea filed by Tamil Nadu challenging the order of the HC.

    The girl was a Class 12 student at a school in Michaelpatti. She had attempted to die by suicide on January 9 and succumbed 10 days later. After her death, certain video clips, which were taken when the girl was under treatment at a hospital, surfaced on social media. 

    In one video clip, the girl had allegedly said she was compelled by the school management to convert to Christianity two years ago and was also forced by school authorities to do chores. The top court said that there are two aspects to the case — one is certain observations in the impugned judgment and the second one regarding the order directing for a probe by the CBI. The apex court said it might not be appropriate for it to interject in the investigation of the CBI but it will issue notice on the first aspect.

    During the hearing, the bench asked senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who was representing the Tamil Nadu DGP, if the police were aggrieved by both the adverse observations and the final directions. Rohatgi replied that the grievance was with respect to both aspects.

    ‘State should not make this a prestige issue’

    “With great respect, this was not a case of any other ramifications. The High Courts interfere and day-today orders are passed. A dying declaration is on record. This is not an exceptional case. This is not a case that should reflect on the police of the state. Why such a big issue is made about it? Every day HC is passing order,” Rohatgi submitted.

    Senior Advocate P Wilson, appearing for the State, submitted that the single bench overstepped the jurisdiction by ordering the CBI probe. At this the bench said, “As far as the investigation with CBI, let it go on. Mr Wilson, pass on the evidence collected to CBI.” Justice Khanna further added that the State should not make this a prestige issue.

    Violated jurisdictionSenior Advocate P Wilson, appearing for the State, submitted that the single bench overstepped his jurisdiction by ordering the CBI probe

  • TN seeks stay on Thanjavur student suicide case transfer to CBI

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu on Thursday moved the Supreme Court against the Madras High Court’s order transferring the probe into the Thanjavur student’s death by suicide to the CBI. Meanwhile, the 17-year-old girl’s father filed a caveat petition in the top court.

    The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court transferred the probe to the CBI on Monday following a plea filed by the girl’s father which stated that he had lost faith in the State police, which was investigating the case. 

    The family of the girl has alleged she faced harassment at the school as they had refused to undergo a religious conversion and accused the police of leaking videos of the girl’s dying declaration. State education officials and police have ruled out pressure to convert as a factor in the case. 

    Police had also claimed the girl had issues with her stepmother. In its appeal before the SC, the State has sought a stay on the Madurai Bench’s order and contended that a mere press conference by the police, ruling out the religious conversion angle, is not enough to transfer the case. 

    The HC, in its ruling, said there was an “attempt of the police to derail the investigation” and noted the girl had not made any allegations regarding her stepmother in the police statement or dying declaration. The child had attempted to take her life on January 9, after allegedly being forced to perform domestic chores. She died on January 19 without responding to treatment. Police subsequently arrested and remanded the warden accused of harassing her.