Thanjavur: The CBI has launched its probe into the death of a 17-year-old school girl, allegedly by suicide, amid charges she was forced to convert to Christianity.
A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team arrived at Michaelpatti village near Thirukattupalli and enquired the authorities of the missionary school where the teenage girl was studying. The girl hailed from Vadugapalayam hamlet in Ariyalur district.
Officials inspected the classrooms, the hostel room and the warden’s room, it is said. The team included officials from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory of the agency.
The CBI had, on 15 February, registered an FIR in the case based on the orders of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court transferring the case from Tirukkattupalli police to the agency based on a petition by the girl’s father.
Initially on 16 January, the Thirukattupalli police booked a case under the Juvenile Justice Act and under the IPC sections – sections 75 (punishment for cruelty to child) and section 82 [1] (indulging in corporal punishment with the aim of disciplining a child) of the Juvenile Justice Act and section 305 (abetment of suicide of child or insane person) and section 511 (punishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or other imprisonments).
The police arrested the 67-year-old hostel warden of the school who was later released on bail.