A deeply troubling incident has sent shockwaves through Tamil Nadu, where a DMK official has been accused of secretly recording a video of a nurse changing clothes at a government hospital. The accused allegedly blackmailed the nurse’s family, demanding ₹10 lakh to prevent the video’s release online. Despite the family lodging a complaint with the police two weeks ago, no action has been taken. The lack of response reportedly pushed the nurse to attempt suicide by consuming sleeping pills.
The victim, identified as Merila Baby, working as a nurse in Avudaiyar Kovil Government Hospital in Pudukkottai. The accused, Bharathiraja, serves as the secretary of the Pudukkottai South District Environment Wing of the ruling DMK party. He allegedly threatened the victim and her husband at their home, stating that he would upload the compromising video of her changing clothes to social media if his monetary demands were not met.
The nurse’s family had filed complaints with both the District Superintendent of Police and the District Collector in Pudukkottai 13 days ago, but no significant action has been taken. According to the family, police have been reluctant to register a case against Bharathiraja due to his political connections within the DMK.
The delay in addressing the complaint caused immense mental distress to the victim, who attempted suicide a few days ago. She is currently undergoing treatment at the Aranthangi Government Hospital.
Outraged by the incident and the lack of justice, the victim’s relatives and friends organized a road blockade on the Aranthangi-Avudaiyar Kovil road to protest. However, the police intervened, detaining the protesters at the Avudaiyar Kovil police station, citing the illegality of the blockade. The incident has plunged the Avudaiyar Kovil area into a state of unrest and heightened tensions.
In response to the incident, Coimbatore South MLA and BJP Mahila Morcha President Vanathi Srinivasan issued a strong condemnation through her official account on X. She stated, “Ra. Bharathiraja, the deputy organizer of the Pudukkottai district environmental wing of @arivalayam, has threatened a nurse at the Avudaiyarkovil government hospital by recording a compromising video and demanding ₹10 lakh. Despite the nurse filing complaints with the Avudaiyarkovil police station and the Pudukkottai district superintendent of police, no action was taken for eight days. On 21 December, the nurse attempted suicide and is now in the ICU.”
She further posed a series of critical questions to Chief Minister MK Stalin, stating, “Some questions for the Chief Minister, Mr. @mkstalin, as a fellow woman, beyond party differences. From the misconduct with a female police officer at a public DMK meeting, the sexual assault of a young woman in Thanjavur, the assault on an Anna University student, and a nurse being threatened. Why are so many members involving in crimes against women are from DMK?”
“While many innocent women are hesitant to file a complaint about the cruelty they suffered, why are the details of the woman who filed the complaint made public and no action is being taken for several days after filing the complaint, further traumatizing the victimized women? Why is your government’s focus on protecting DMK cadres involved in crimes than towards the women victims? When will the safety of women become more important than the honor of @arivalayam in your government? Realize your responsibility by seeing the women who are affected by the inaction of your government and the criminal activities of your party members! At least stop the irregular activities of your party and create a safe society for women!” She added.
ஆவுடையார்கோவில் அரசு மருத்துவமனை செவிலியரை நிர்வாணமாக வீடியோ எடுத்து 10 லட்சம் ரூபாய் கேட்டு மிரட்டியுள்ளார் @arivalayam-த்தின் புதுக்கோட்டை மாவட்ட சுற்றுச்சூழல் அணி துணை அமைப்பாளர் திரு ரா.பாரதிராஜா.
இதுகுறித்து ஆவுடையார்கோவில் காவல் நிலையத்திலும் புதுக்கோட்டை மாவட்ட காவல்… pic.twitter.com/FctYgMfan4
— Vanathi Srinivasan (@VanathiBJP) December 26, 2024
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