Chennai: DMK legislator Inigo Irudayaraj has found himself in the middle a controversy as he accorded a warm welcome to Sagaya Mary, the prime accused in Thanjavur student suicide case, as she walked out of the Trichy Central Prison on bail.
Sharing pictures of him welcoming Sagaya Mary with a shawl, Irudayaraj posted on Facebook: ‘Sister Sagaya Mari, the caretaker of the Pure Heart High School hostel, who devoted herself to the educational development of poor children in villages at the age of 62, was arrested following an unforeseen incident at Thanjavur district’s Thirukattupalli Michaelpatti.’
He added: ‘Knowing that she was released by the court with the determination and honesty to face the case, I went to the Trichy Women’s Central Jail in person and welcomed her. Justice will prevail. We will continue to work for religious harmony.’
This has evoked strong criticism from various quarters, especially Hindu activists, as Sagaya Mary is accused of forcing the girl student to embrace Christianity which allegedly drove her to take the extreme step. The CBI is currently probing the case.