On Friday, the prime suspect in the sexual assault case of a school girl at a fake National Cadet Corps (NCC) camp in Bargur died in a suicide, the police told the Press Trust of India.
Sivaraman had consumed rat poison shortly before his arrest on August 19, and was admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital in Krishnagiri where he was already undergoing treatment for a leg fracture incurred while evading arrest. His condition deteriorated, leading to his transfer to the Government Medical College Hospital in Salem, where he passed away.
Sivaraman was one of 11 individuals, including school officials, arrested by the Bargur All Women police. He had reportedly orchestrated the fake NCC camp where the assault on an eighth-grade girl occurred, along with allegations of abuse involving several other girls. The camp, attended by 41 students (including 17 girls) was exposed when the victim reported the abuse to her parents, who subsequently filed a police complaint.
Fake NCC Camp in Tamil Nadu
The NCC has stated that it was not responsible for coordinating any camp in the area and that the individual involved in the incident has no connection with the organisation. The district administration has reportedly confirmed the same.
Of the 41 students that took part in the fake NCC camp, one student was sexually assaulted while several girls were harassed by the perpetrators. Two teachers, the principal, and a correspondent of the private school where the incident took place are among those arrested.
As per reports, the school failed to perform background checks or assign teachers to oversee the fake camp. It is also alleged that the school consented to the camp in an effort to establish its own NCC unit on campus, based on the assurances of an undisclosed group. Additionally, the school authorities have been accused of trying to conceal the incident by advising students to stay quiet about the alleged abuse.
In response, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has instructed the formation of a Special Investigation Team to investigate the case. The SIT aims to complete the probe within 15 days, with a chargesheet filed in 60 days. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also taken cognisance, demanding a report from the Tamil Nadu government and police.
