TN govt reveals identity of sexual abuse survivor

In a blunder that evoked criticism from various quarters, the Tamil Nadu Government has revealed the identity of a 19-year-old sexual harassment victim and identified her college in an order it issued to transfer the case to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The order signed by Niranjan Mardi, Home Secretary of Tamil Nadu government, said the administration was transferring the investigations into the case to the CBI under section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 on the advice of Director General of Police T K Rajendran.

In the order, the name of the victim, college where she is studying, and other details were mentioned – it was shared multiple times on social media by several thousand people which amounts to further harassment of the victim mentally.

The blatant violation of guidelines by the Tamil Nadu government was criticised by Leader of Opposition M K Stalin who viewed it as a strategy to inculcate fear among survivors of sexual harassment and discourage them from reporting such cases.

The Tamil Nadu Government had on Wednesday recommended for a CBI probe into the complaint filed by the girl who had alleged sexual harassment by four persons who have been picked up by police.

It is alleged that Thirunavukarasu and his friends, three of whom have also been arrested, have been harassing several women over the past seven years after befriending them. The case assumed political overtones after a local functionary of ruling AIADMK allegedly attacked the victim's brother for lodging police complaint about the harassment and was expelled from the party.

The girl had alleged that the four men harassed her both “physically and sexually” inside a car and robbed her of a gold chain. Police said the gang had attempted to strip the girl inside a car near Pollachi and had shot a video of the act and blackmailed her using the visuals and tried extortion.

Police file case against Stalin’s son-in-law

Chennai Police on Thursday filed a case against Sabareesan, son-in-law of DMK President M K Stalin, on a complaint from Deputy Speaker Pollachi S Jayaraman that the former was “defaming” him by spreading canards against him on social media.

Jayaraman alleged that Sabareesan was responsible for spreading fake messages on social media that has connected his family with the sexual harassment case in Pollachi that has sent shock waves across Tamil Nadu.

The case was filed by the Cyber Cell of the Chennai Police, which has also issued summons to R R Gopal of Nakheeran magazine which published tapes regarding the harassment of girls.

Sabareesan also hit back at Jayaraman by sending a legal notice to the Deputy Speaker and asking him to apologise for “defaming” him.