Justice S.R. Singaravelu, who is heading a panel to enquire into the death of Dalit youth Ilavarasan, said here on Thursday that the commission would conduct an impartial probe to bring out the truth.
He told reporters that the outcome of the police investigation would not influence the inquiry, and the commission would go into all aspects, including the circumstances that led to the death.
The commission began its first sitting at the Circuit House in Dharmapuri.
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Mr. Justice Singaravelu said that the inquiry process would be different from that of police and the courts.
Anybody who had valid proof regarding Ilavarasan’s death could depose before the commission and contact it in Chennai on all working days.
The commission would also take into account the outcome of the scientific and analytical tests.
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“Based on the forensic report, one cannot come to a conclusion that the youth had committed suicide. There are chances that the youth might have been pushed from behind by some persons after forcing him to write a suicide note stating that it would make Divya come back to him. Equipped with the suicide note, the conspirators could have pushed him onto the track and killed him.
The panel will go into all these angles''.
Inspects the spot
Mr. Justice Singaravelu inspected the railway track where the body was found and sought clarifications from the Superintendent of Police Asra Garg. He also enquired about the normal speed of Kurla Express while passing through the particular place, where the body was found. If the train was moving at a speed of 90 kmph and if Illavarasan had committed suicide, the body would not be lying near the track where it was found, he told the officials.
None from the Ilavarasan’s side, including the Advocates Forum for Human Rights, turned up at the first sitting of the commission. Seven revenue, police and medical professionals submitted their affidavits. A representative from Inter-caste Couples’ Association of India based at Salem and S. Neelakandan, State Secretary of the Marxist Party also submitted their affidavits. Winding up the first sitting, Mr. Justice Singaravelu said over twenty affidavits were submitted by different persons. The commission would have its next sitting on August 26 and 27.
The commission would summon the family of Ilavarasan and Divya and others who have filed affidavits. The commission’s terms of reference is for two months, but the period would be extended if required. The report to the government would include suggestions on prevention of such occurrences in future, he added.