The first bench, consisting of Acting Chief Justice D Krishnakumar and Justice PB Balaji, made this remark during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation filed by Advocate AP Suryaprakasam, who requested that the investigation be transferred from the Krishnagiri police to the CBI.
Chennai: The Madras High Court on Thursday(12th Sept) described the Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority’s (TNSLSA) report on the alleged sexual abuse of girls at a fraudulent National Cadet Corps (NCC) camp in Krishnagiri district as “shocking.”
The first bench, consisting of Acting Chief Justice D Krishnakumar and Justice PB Balaji, made this remark during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation filed by Advocate AP Suryaprakasam, who requested that the investigation be transferred from the Krishnagiri police to the CBI.
After reviewing the report, the court noted that the TNSLSA mentioned in its findings that one of the instructors at the two-day fake NCC camp displayed weapons (guns) and threatened the students not to disclose the incident to anyone.
The primary accused, Sivaraman, who has since passed away, warned students that he would cut off their little fingers if they spoke about the event. All of this occurred within a school. Additionally, the organizers held campfires on two occasions, interacted closely with the students, and Sivaraman freely moved among them, the bench observed.
The bench had previously instructed the TNSLSA to visit the school, engage with the students, parents, teachers, and school management. The authority submitted its report following the visit.
Earlier, Additional Advocate General J Ravindran informed the court that, in compliance with its directive, the government issued a show-cause notice to the school. Since the school’s response was unsatisfactory, the Krishnagiri District Educational Officer recommended that the Director of Private Schools appoint a Special Officer to oversee the school. The appointment is expected within a week or two, he added.
He also mentioned that interim compensation was provided to the survivors through a Fast Track Mahila Court.
Advocate General PS Raman stated that the accused, Sivaraman, died by suicide after ingesting rat poison. He also noted that the school principal and correspondent had already been arrested. Show-cause notices will be issued to three other schools where similar fake NCC camps were held, and appropriate action will be taken, he added.
AP Suryaprakasam argued that a thorough investigation is needed to determine whether Sivaraman’s death was indeed a suicide. He also urged that the students receive free medical treatment at a private hospital and that an ex-gratia payment be provided to the girls.
The court also reviewed the report submitted by the District Education Officer (DEO). During the previous hearing, the court had requested a report from the DEO regarding the actions taken against the school where the fake NCC camp was conducted.
The court expressed surprise at the lack of action against the school in this case, especially considering the authorities had acted immediately in the Kallakurichi incident, where a schoolgirl allegedly committed suicide.
In his report, the DEO stated that after learning about the incident, a show-cause notice was issued to the school, and five charges were brought against it. He noted that although the school had submitted a response, it was completely contradictory and unacceptable.
The DEO further stated that the school’s management was involved in the unlawful activity due to poor administration and had failed to prevent the illegal actions that harmed the lives of several girls. He informed the court that he had recommended to the Director of Private Schools to appoint a Special Officer to oversee the school, citing Section 31 of the Tamil Nadu Private Schools (Regulation) Act, 2018.
The bench scheduled the matter for a hearing on September 19.
