HC questions prosecution of Kallakurichi school principal, staff

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Wednesday questioned the prosecution about the cause for arresting the chairman, secretary, principal, and two teachers of a private school in Kaniyamoor village in the Kallakurichi district.

It is noted that a Class 12 girl of the school died in a suspicious way on July 13 and subsequent protests demanding justice for her death turned into massive violence on July 17.

“If the prosecution fails to inform the court about the case details and reason why the school management's top office bearers, principal, and teachers have been arrested, the court will be in a position to summon the investigation officers,” Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan observed.

The judge made this observation on hearing the bail application filed by the school’s chairman EC Ravikumar, secretary R Shanthi, principal Siva Shankaran, Chemistry teacher Hari Priya, and Maths teacher Krithiga.

The petitioners submitted that they had given the CCTV footage of their school to CB-CID and the probe has been going on for more than 38 days. “We are unaware of the case details on which police had arrested them, ” the petitioners submitted through their advocate – senior counsel S Prabhakaran.

The deceased girl’s parents informed the HC that they are suspecting that their daughter might have been harassed and killed.

Recording the submissions, the judge asked the prosecution about the connection of the petitioners in the death of the school girl, the police side sought time to get instructions and file a report.

However, the judge, disappointed with the response, noted that the Additional PP should have argued with such details in the case. “Why did the police arrest the petitioners? Was it the reason that the petitioners are the chairman, secretary, principal, and teachers of the school?” the court noted.

The matter has been adjourned to Friday directing the CB-CID to file a counter.