The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has taken suo-motu cognizance of the death of a 14 year old girl in Tamil Nadu, allegedly set on fire by two AIADMK functionaries.
The Commission took cognizance of the case under Section 13 (1) (j) of CPCR Act 2005 based on a news report which read “a 14 year old girl set on fire allegedly by AIADMK functionaries died on Monday 11 at Villupuram Government Medical College and Hospital (VGMCH). The Commission has directed the District Collector, Vallpuram, Tamil Nadu to inquire into the matter and take strict action against the alleged cuplrits for the heinous crime committed under the relevant section of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and the Indian Penal Code.
The shocking incident took place on Sunday and the girl who was rushed to the hospital immediately died on Monday morning. The police have arrested two accused — G Murugan and K Kaliyaperumal.
Police said the girl lived with her father who owned a small shop in the locality. On Sunday, Murugan had reportedly went to her house to ask her father open his shop in the morning. However, since her father was not at home, the girl refused to open the shop herself and told Murugan to speak to her father. Murugan, who was in an inebriated state, had left the spot in a huff.
“Hours later, there was smoke coming out from the house. When the neighbours rushed to check out the source, they saw girl, with both her hands tied, ablaze. They immediately poured water and rushed her to the Villupuram Medical College Hospital for treatment,” a police officer said.
In her statement to the Magistrate, girl told that the two men had tied her hands, poured petrol on her and set her on fire. Based on her statement, the Villupuram police arrested Murugan and Kaliyaperumal.
A case has been registered under sections 302 [Murder], 452 [House-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint], 341 [Punishment for wrongful restraint], 342 [Punishment for wrongful confinement], 294b [sings, recites or utters any obscene song, ballad or words, in or near any public place], 323 [Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt], and 324 [Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means] of the IPC.
-India Legal Bureau