Anna University sexual assault case: AIADMK seeks CBI probe, to hold State-wide protest on Dec 30

CHENNAI: CHENNAI: Alleging that crimes against women and children have increased under the DMK regime, opposition leader and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday demanded a CBI probe into the Anna University sexual assault case to ensure a free and fair investigation.

The party would stage a State-wide protest on December 30, seeking justice for the survivor in the sexual assault case and condemning the State government for failing to maintain law and order.

"Doubts have emerged among the public about whether the police and the ruling party are attempting to cover up the case. Hence, a CBI probe is needed to ensure a fair probe and guarantee that no criminal involved in such a heinous crime goes unpunished," said Palaniswami, referring to the allegedly contradictory statements made by City Commissioner A Arun and Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhiaan regarding the sequence of events leading to the filing of a complaint in the sexual assault case.

Noting that the police were claiming that only one person committed the crime, he said the complaint mentioned that the accused spoke to someone over the phone whom he called ‘sir’. "Who is that person, and why is the police not disclosing this information? This raises suspicions that the police may be trying to protect someone," he charged.

Palaniswami said unlike how it was in the AIADMK regime, the police were not free to act to prevent crimes and take stern action against criminal elements.

"We planned to hold a protest today against the ruling party for its failure to maintain law and order and prevent crime against women and children. But, we have decided to hold the protest on December 30 after the news of the demise of former PM Manmohan Singh," he said and recalled the ruling party appealed against the Madras High Court order directing a CBI probe into a sexual assault of a minor girl in Anna Nagar. He also pointed out the sexual assault case of a mentally challenged girl in the city to back his allegation that crimes against women were on the rise.

He denounced the authorities for their lapses in security arrangements at the institution, citing reports that said only 56 out of 70 CCTV cameras on the campus are functional. "What about the remaining CCTV cameras? How can the authorities remain so lethargic in ensuring the safety of students," he asked.

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