Vandalur schoolgirl sexual assault case sparks political row ahead of TN bypolls
Udhayanidhi Stalin accuses TVK govt of suppressing the case ahead of Maduranthakam bypoll; police say evidence so far does not establish incident inside school
A political controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu following an alleged sexual assault involving a girl from a government school near Vandalur. The incident was reported on Thursday (September 24) within the Tambaram City Police limits, with the complaint concerning a government school in Kandigai village.
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Police said an FIR was registered without delay and that the probe was handed over to a woman inspector, working under the supervision of senior women police officers. Investigators examined CCTV recordings from the school and surrounding areas, along with the child’s medical examination, witness accounts and other scientific evidence, police said.
Police said the evidence gathered and verified so far, including the child’s statement, does not establish that the alleged incident took place inside the government school. The investigation, however, is continuing. The police have urged the public and the media to refrain from sharing unverified information, stressing the need to protect the identity and privacy of the child.
Udhayanidhi targets TVK govt
Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, meanwhile, attacked the TVK government over the safety of girls in schools. He questioned the measures promised by the government for women’s safety and alleged that the incident was being kept under wraps because of the upcoming Maduranthakam by-election.
As many as 27 candidates are contesting the by-election, scheduled for October 6. The Maduranthakam seat became vacant after AIADMK MLA Maragatham Kumaravel resigned and joined the TVK. She is now contesting the election as a TVK candidate.
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A by-election is also being held in Dharapuram after the AIADMK MLA from the constituency crossed over to the TVK. The two contests have been billed as an early electoral test for the four-month-old TVK government.
Udhayanidhi alleged that police and government officials were trying to present the incident in a questionable manner and claimed that the girl’s parents were being stopped from speaking publicly about it. He called for proper medical care and justice for the student, stringent action against those responsible and tighter security arrangements across school campuses.