TN transfers Fathima Latheef death case to CBI

The Government of Tamil Nadu has transferred the case related to the death of IIT-Madras (IIT-M) student Fathima Latheef to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The action came on a ‘recommendation’ by the Centre. Fathima’s father, Abdul Latheef, had met TN Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami and Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking a CBI inquiry.

The latter had promised a CBI investigation, sources said.

Fathima Latheef, 19, was found dead in the hostel on the IIT campus on November 9.

Also read: IIT-M student who ended life often faced harassment, alleges father

On Friday, the Madras High Court dismissed a PIL filed by the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) seeking a CBI probe. The court but said the state government may transfer it to the CBI if it deemed necessary.

The court also directed the investigating agency to file a status report on the progress of the investigation on January 22, the next hearing day.

Abdul Latheef said at least four students were also responsible for his daughter’s death apart from the three professors who she had named in the ‘suicide note.’

Forensic evidence confirmed that the suicide notes recovered from Fathima’s mobile phones were written by her, sources said.