On 21 August 2024, the National Commission for Women (NCW) initiated suo motu action regarding a case of sexual assault involving minor girls, which allegedly occurred under the pretense of an “NCC camp” at a private school in Bargur, Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu. Reports indicated that 13 girls were sexually abused during this incident and one them was affiliated with Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK) party.
The NCW has instructed the Director General of Police (DGP) in Chennai to conduct a thorough and prompt investigation in Krishnagiri, ensuring that those responsible are charged under the appropriate laws. Additionally, the commission has requested a detailed report on the actions taken from both the police and the state government within three days.
The NCW announced on its official X account that the “National Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report titled “13 girl sexually abused at fake NCC camp” from Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu. The commission has directed DGP Chennai to ensure a fair, time bound investigation, booking the accused under relevant laws. A detailed action taken report has been sought from the police and from the state govt within 3 days. @chennaipolice_ @NaduFor.”
National Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report titled “13 girl sexually abused at fake NCC camp” from Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu. The commission has directed DGP Chennai to ensure a fair, time bound investigation, booking the accused under relevant…
— NCW (@NCWIndia) August 21, 2024
Context to the Case
In a disturbing incident in Tamil Nadu, a 13-year-old girl was reportedly been sexually assaulted by a Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK) functionary during a fraudulent National Cadet Corps (NCC) camp held at a private school near Bargur in Krishnagiri district on 8th August 2024. Eleven individuals, including the school principal and several teachers, were initially arrested in the case. The primary suspect was on the run but was eventually apprehended on 19 August 2024 and charged under various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the BNS Act.
The three-day camp, which ran from 5 to 9 August 2024, was held at a private school with no official connection to the NCC. The school hosted 41 students, including 17 girls, for the fake NCC camp.
The case came to light after the victim complained to the police about being assaulted by a camp trainer despite several threats from school authorities. Police then arrested eleven people, including the camp organiser, school principal, two teachers, and a correspondent. The main accused, a 30-year-old man named Sivaraman, remains absconding.
Fake Camp Trainer Molests Student
During the camp, girls stayed on the first floor of the school auditorium, while boys were housed on the ground floor. No teachers were assigned to supervise them.
On the night of 8th August, Sivaraman, who was a trainer at the fake camp, allegedly coerced a 13-year-old girl to come out of her accommodation and assaulted her. He was the district youth wing secretary of the NTK political party, which expelled him in the wake of this incident. Investigations revealed that Sivaraman was also accused of sexually harassing 13 other girls during the camp.
#TamilNadu Sexual Assault Case: 11 Arrested
NDTV's @jsamdaniel with more updates pic.twitter.com/K6Hz1LrmW9
— NDTV (@ndtv) August 19, 2024
After a week of the alleged crimes, one of the girls reported the assault by calling the police control room, leading to an investigation. Medical examinations of the girls have been conducted, and the District Child Welfare Committee has initiated action.
It was revealed that the school management, including the principal and two teachers, were aware of the sexual offences but chose to suppress the information rather than report it to the authorities. The students were allegedly instructed not to take the incidents seriously.
Sivaraman Booked Under POCSO Act
In the aftermath, the Bargur All-Women’s Police booked Sivaraman under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and authorities are currently searching for him. The school’s correspondent, principal, and several others, including members of the fake NCC group, have been arrested.
The investigation also uncovered that the school needed to conduct proper background checks on the individuals organising the camp. The Tamil Nadu government and child rights activists have called for stringent action against the school management for failing to protect the students and not reporting the crime promptly.
The Krishnagiri Superintendent of Police, P. Thangadurai, confirmed that the police are investigating whether the group behind the fake NCC camp has conducted similar operations at other schools. The District Child Welfare Committee has initiated further actions, including performing medical examinations of the affected girls and seeking accountability from the school authorities.