Time has come for a Central govt. that respects States: Stalin
The two accused persons who were arrested in connection with the sexual assault and murder of a nineyearold girl in Puducherry were remanded in judicial custody on Thursday.
Puducherry Third Additional Judge M. Elavarasan conducted the remand proceedings at the Kalapet Central Prison, following reports of protests planned by advocates against the accused , G. Vivekanandan and Kakka, alias Karuna, sources said.
After their arrests, the Puducherry Bar Council decided not to provide legal assistance to the culprits. “Considering the sensitive nature of the case, we decided not to produce the accused in the court. The Judge visited the prison and remanded the accused in judicial custody. We will decide on taking the accused again for questioning as the investigation progresses,” a police officer said.
The body of the girl was found inside a drain near her residence on Tuesday, after she went missing from her house on March 2. The accused were booked under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO), and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Acts,
A large number of people took part at the funeral procession of the nine-year-old girl on Thursday.
and several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 302, 363 and 342. More sections could be added depending on the medical report, the officer added.
The Police Department has constituted a Special Investigation Team, headed by Senior Superintendent of Police R. Kalaivanan. Superintendent of Police, East, Lakshmi Soujanya will be the Investigating Officer.
More evidence
The SIT, along with forensic experts, visited the crime spot on Thursday and gathered more scientific evidence from the place where the body was recovered. “We have fasttracked the investigation. Based on the confessions
of the accused and corroborating evidence collected, we are hopeful of filing the chargesheet in five to six weeks. We will be getting the postmortem report shortly. Samples have been sent to Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL). We will also request the CFSL to submit the report at the earliest,” the officer added.
The government will also approach the court to conduct the trial on a daytoday basis once the charge sheet is filed, the police said.
Body cremated
The body of the girl was cremated on Thursday. A large number of people participated in the funeral procession.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday said that the DMK’s Dravidian Model government could implement more welfare measures only if there was a Central government that respected State governments.
“The time is ripe for it [such a government] and we need your support. Explain to your friends and family the achievements of the DMK’s Dravidian Model government. If we want to extend the achievements of Tamil Nadu to other parts of the country, you should make a good decision in the Lok Sabha election,” he said at a meeting organised on behalf of ‘Anita Achievers Academy’ instituted in the memory of Anita, who died by suicide after failing to get admission in a medical college.
Mr. Stalin also extended his greetings for Women’s Day and said that the DMK government was implementing schemes such as free bus ride, ₹1,000 assistance to girls who completed their school education in government schools, and ₹1,000 every month to women heads of families under the Kalaignar Mahalir Urimai Thittam.
“I, Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin, take pride in the achievements of women, and Tamil Nadu, through these schemes. We have
Explain to your friends and family the achievements of the DMK’s Dravidian Model government. If we want to extend the achievements of T.N. to other parts of the country, you should take a good decision in the Lok Sabha election
M.K. STALIN Chief Minister
been implementing a lot of schemes for the development of the State without the Centre’s support,” he added. He further said that he was happy to participate in events organised by Anita Achievers Academy. “Members of the oppressed community face hurdles when they strive hard to achieve their goals. We have to overcome those hurdles...”
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, TeleMANAS 14416 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050).