ALAPPUZHA: The undue delay in the Crime Branch investigation into the alleged suicide pact by four Sports Authority of India (SAI) trainees at the Water Sports Centre Punnamada has delayed justice to the family of Aparna Ramabhadran, who lost her life in the incident.
Strangely, even a year on since the incident, the Crime Branch has not filed the chargesheet in the case. Also, the offer of government job to Aparna’s mother has not materialised.
Ramabhadran, the deceased girl’s father said,” We are hopeful of getting justice from the police.The Magistrate had recorded my daughter’s dying declaration. The torture by senior students as well some of the SAI officials prompted the girls to enter into a suicide pact. But the police are trying to save the culprits.”
“The government had offered employment to my wife, but the authorities were not ready to appoint her in government service,” he said.
According to Nakulan, Aparna’s paternal uncle, the investigation team was hesitant to file the chargesheet even after such a sizeable period of time. And he pointed out that the statements given to the police and media by the other trainees had substantiated the charges.
Meanwhile, the investigation team led by Crime Branch DySP N Parthasarathy Pillai said the
probe was in its final stages and that the chargesheet would be filed after the Assembly elections.
Aparna Ramabhadran 16, Panackal house, Avalookunnu, South Aaryad, Alappuzha committed suicide on May 7, 2016. Three other students were also admitted to the Medical College after they consumed ‘othalanga’, a poisonous berry, on May 6 evening. A letter written by the girls mentioned that ragging by senior students had forced them to take the extreme step.