SIT probe into Ilavarasan’s death sought

Rs. 10 lakh as compensation and government job to one of the family members demanded

Residents of Dalit colonies boarding buses, arranged by police, from the Government Dharmapuri Medical College Hospital on Friday. Photo: N. Bashkaran

Demands for a probe by Special Investigation Team into the death of Ilavarasan poured in on Friday even as the autopsy was conducted on the body.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF), Centre for Advocates Forum for Human Rights (CAFHR) and other Dalit outfits reiterated their demand for the probe alleging foul play in the death of the boy. The demands assume significance in the wake of his marriage with a vanniyar girl, leading to caste tension, rioting, looting and arson and the girl finally choosing to walk out of the marriage and declaring the same before the Madras High Court in response to a habeas corpus petition by her mother.

The leaders who had addressed the Dalits put forth five of their demands to the revenue and police authorities. The demands were investigation should be transferred to the police department from Railway police and the Director General of Police (DGP) should set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) immediately.

Apart from this, the government should also order for a CBI inquiry into the death of Ilavarasan. Suitable action should be initiated against the police officials who failed to give adequate security to the deceased as per the orders of the Madras High Court.

The death of Ilavarasan shocked members of his community who urged the State to allow VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan to visit the hospital to see the body and to console the parents of Ilavarasan.

They also demanded Rs. 10 lakh as compensation, two acres of land and government employment to any one of their family members. The representation was signed by K. Samual Raj, general secretary, TNEUF, P. Dilli Babu, CPI (M) MLA from Harur, Sindhanai Selvan, general secretary of VCK, S. Rajinikanth of Centre for Advocates Forum for Human Rights and public from Natham colony.

Dr. Surabhi, Dean, Government Dharmapuri Medical College Hospital, told The Hindu that the post-mortem report was handed over to the district administration and police officials around 2.30 p.m.

The residents of Dalit colonies were sent to their places with police escort in five government buses. When a fringe group tried to create flutter, they were chased away.