The investigation into the death of Dalit youth E Ilavarasan has been transferred to the local police from the Government Railway Police on Saturday.
Ilavarasan’s body was found near the track in behind the Dharmapuri Government Arts College on the Salem-Bangalore broad-gauge line on Thursday.
Following a directive from the Madras High Court, the body, after autopsy was kept in a preservator at the Government Dharmapuri Medical College Hospital (GDMCH). The post-mortem report along with video clippings were handed over to the counsels of the youth’s parents Elango and Krishnaveni on Friday night.
It was also sent to counsels to be produced before the High Court.
As prohibitory order under Section 144(1) of CrPC was promulgated in the district, police took the Government Dharmapuri Medical College Hospital premises under their control.
Tight security was posted at all gates and in front of the mortuary.
West Zone Inspector General Davidson Asirvatham, Salem Range DIG Sanjay Kumar, and Dharmapuri SP Asra Garg are camping in Dharmapuri and Naickenkottai area.
The Government Railway Police (GRP), who recovered the body and registered a case under Section 174 of CrPC, served summons to railway authorities including driver of train number 11014 Coimbatore-Lokmanya Tilak Express, Dharmapuri Station Manager S Jayapal and other witnesses at the spot. All those summoned were expected to appear on Sunday, sources added.
According to the GRP DSP M Rajendran, who is the investigating officer, based on a complaint from Railway authorities, police recovered the body of the youth and his belongings, which were found on the spot, including a bag, wrist watch and a mobile phone.
The case was transferred from the Government Railway Police to local police for further investigation following orders from the DGP. The recovered properties and the case dairy were handed over to the Adhiyamankottai police station on Saturday.
As per the DGP’s order, Harur DSP M Sampath would be the investigating officer of the case.
A team constituted by the Superintendent of Police started investigations on Saturday and based on the post-mortem report, the complaint from the parent of the deceased and material evidence, the case would be altered, police sources added.
According to Asra Garg, police were posted in sensitive spots in Naickenkottai area, including caste Hindu villages. Bus services have also resumed.