Police asked to file final report in sanitary worker ‘harassment’ case in three months

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday directed Madurai police to complete, in three months, investigation into the case of alleged caste discrimination and harassment of a Scheduled Caste sanitary worker by a caste Hindu panchayat secretary.

Justice R. Vijayakumar directed the police to file the final report in three months and ordered protection to the petitioner, sanitary worker D. Sasikala of Melur in Madurai district.

Ms. Sasikala attempted to end her life following alleged caste discrimination and harassment by caste Hindu panchayat secretary Roopa. Ms. Sasikala was employed in Kambur panchayat. Following her complaint against the panchayat secretary, Kottampatti police registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416, Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050 and Speak2Us helpline at 9375493754.)