The four Irula tribal women, who have alleged sexual assault by police personnel, have been admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital at Mundiyampakkam near here for check-up.
On Tuesday, they appeared before Thirukkoilur Judicial Magistrate K. Muralidhara Kannan who directed the police to take them to the hospital for tests. The women were hesitant to go in the police van.
The Magistrate told them if the police forced or threatened them they could report the matter to him. Subsequently, the women were escorted to the hospital.
In sexual abuse cases it is mandatory to subject the victims to six tests for external injuries, if any, urine test, blood test, X-Ray, scan and symptoms of sexual abuse.
On Tuesday only two tests could be conducted. Till all the tests are completed they have to remain in the hospital. Superintendent of Police M. Bhaskaran has placed under suspension Inspector Srinivasan, Special Sub-Inspector Ramanathan, head constable Dhanasekar and constables Bhakthavatshcalam and Karthikeyan.
Human rights activists and representatives of tribal welfare organisations have called for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe.
The representatives of 25 organisations who held a meeting here on Monday passed a resolution urging the police to release six Irula men arrested on “cooked up charges”.
The Puducherry Scheduled Tribes People's Federation has demanded a CBI enquiry into the incident. The federation has also demanded a compensation of Rs. 10 lakh for each of the victims, a release said.
