Kallakurichi schoolgirl's death: Madras HC orders second post-mortem

A day after violence erupted at a residential school in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi district over the death of a schoolgirl, the Madras High Court has ordered another round of post-mortem in the case.

The court’s ruling comes a day after protesters demanded justice over the death of the schoolgirl and allegedly set on fire at least 13 buses, including three police vehicles, and pelted stones. The court has directed police to take tough action against the rioters and those who incited them.

The court, however, turned down a plea by the girl’s family that the second round of autopsy be carried out by a doctor of their choice.

Also read: Violence in Kallakurichi, TN over schoolgirl’s death; Sec 144 imposed

Police have detained the principal secretary and correspondent of the school in connection with the suicide. More than a hundred suspects have been taken into custody for the rioting on campus.

Schools to remain closed

Meanwhile, private schools in the state will remain closed on Monday (July 18), according to Tamil Nadu private school associations.

The Class 12 student was found dead on July 13 on the school hostel premises. The girl, police said, jumped from the third floor of the hostel. Her family has alleged that the two teachers had mentally harassed and humiliated her.

Police said that the girl had left behind a note that says she was struggling in several subjects and alleges humiliation by her teachers for her academic performance and also asked the school to refund her annual school fee to her parents.

Police said the first post-mortem report mentions “abrasions”. The girl’s parents have alleged that a wall near the spot where she was found dead had the mark of a bloodied palm. They have claimed that his points to a physical struggle.

The Revenue Divisional Officer of Kallakurichi has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in Kallakurichi taluk, Chinna Salem, and Nainarpalayam Firkas following violence.

CM assures of action

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said police are investigating and culprits would be punished.

“The situation in Kallakurichi is deplorable. At the conclusion of the ongoing police investigation into the student’s death, the culprits will surely be punished,” Stalin tweeted in Tamil.

“I have ordered the Home Secretary and the Director General of Police to go to Kallakurichi. I request the public to keep calm by trusting the government’s actions,” he added in another tweet.

உள்துறைச் செயலாளரையும், காவல்துறை தலைமை இயக்குநரையும் கள்ளக்குறிச்சிக்குச் செல்ல உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளேன். அரசின் நடவடிக்கைகளின் மேல் நம்பிக்கை வைத்துப் பொதுமக்கள் அமைதி காக்க வேண்டுகிறேன். (2/2)

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) July 17, 2022

What school associations said

The Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association condemned the attack on the school and said to express solidarity, all private schools in Tamil Nadu will be closed on Monday.

Also read: Student’s murder in TN school puts spotlight on ‘caste bands’

R Visalakshi, president, Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association, said, “Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association regrets the untimely demise of the student. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. But the attack on the private school in Kalakurichi is strongly condemned. To express our solidarity, private schools in Tamil Nadu will remain closed on Monday.”

Another school association – Tamil Nadu Nursey, Primary, Matriculation, and CBSE Schools Association too declared a holiday for the schools in the state and demanded strict action against those involved in the violence.

“Proper inquiry must be initiated to find out the truth behind the death of the child. Also, it is atrocious how the government let miscreants damage the school premises. Strict action must be taken against them. To condemn this, schools in the State will remain shut on Monday. The government has invited us for talks with them,” KR Nandakumar, state secretary, TN Nursery, Primary, Matriculation, and CBSE Schools Association, said.

The announcement for the closure of schools has come despite a warning from the Directorate Of Matriculation Schools. It had said there was no permission given for a strike and added it would take strict action against those schools which declare a holiday.