Chennai, Aug 15:
Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin has assured the family of 19-year-old engineering student K Amuthan, who was allegedly beaten to death by a group of fellow students in Coimbatore, that he would pursue the matter in the Assembly and stand by the family until justice is secured.
Udhayanidhi contacted Amuthan’s family, conveyed his condolences and assured them that the incident would be raised in detail in the Assembly. He also extended the DMK’s support to the family in their fight for justice.
Amuthan, a native of Kallakurichi district, was pursuing his engineering studies at Hindusthan Engineering College in Coimbatore. He was allegedly attacked on August 10 by a group that primarily comprised his college mates. Police have detained five students in connection with the incident.
The circumstances surrounding the attack have triggered controversy, with different accounts emerging about the possible motive. While the initial allegations referred to an extortion and mobile phone theft incident, Amuthan’s family has alleged that he was targeted after raising concerns about drug abuse and informing the college hostel management about students allegedly involved in drug-related activities.
Amuthan’s mother, Sumathi, has rejected the description of the incident as a gang clash and maintained that her son’s death was linked to his opposition to drug peddling and consumption among students. Her statement has intensified calls for a detailed investigation into the circumstances leading to the student’s death.
The case has also drawn demands for a more extensive probe. Dalit rights organisation Evidence has called for a CBI investigation, alleging that a large group of students armed with lethal weapons attacked Amuthan and accusing the government of downplaying the seriousness of the incident. These claims remain allegations and are subject to investigation.
Udhayanidhi sought to raise the matter under the Special Calling Attention Motion in the Assembly on Wednesday. Speaker JCD Prabhakar assured that the issue would be taken up for detailed discussion and that the Treasury Benches would provide a suitable reply on Monday.
The Opposition leader’s intervention comes amid growing demands from the student’s family and others for a transparent probe into the attack, clarity on the motive and accountability for those responsible for Amuthan’s death.