Panel submits report on Ilavarasan’s death

The Committee appointed on July 8, 2013, took more than five years to probe the death of Ilavarasan and to submit the voluminous report that runs for more than 1,000 pages. 

Ilavarasan married Divya, a caste Hindu girl, in 2012 and on July 4, 2013, Ilavarasan was found dead near Railway track near Natham, after he was separated from Divya. 

The death of Ilavarasan triggered widespread tension in the state as PMK and its caste outfit Vanniyar Sangam, were blamed for his death. Social activists alleged that Ilavarasan was murdered and was thrown into the Railway track to make his death a suicide but SB-CID, on the other hand, said that Ilavarasan committed suicide as he was in a dejected mood after getting separated from Divya. 

However, it took five years for the committee to submit the report on Ilavarasan’s death and social activists blame the government for deliberately postponing the investigation and the report. 

Kathir, Executive Director, Evidence, an NGO working for the welfare of the scheduled castes, told DT Next that there is no reason to prolong the probe for five years expect for some deliberate reasons. 

“People have totally forgotten the issue as it is now five years after his death and government wants this from the people. Also, there is not much trust on the report as it would have concluded the death as a suicide, which the investigation agencies had claimed earlier,” said Kathir. 

He also said that in the recent years all such reports are purposefully delayed. “Already people have lost faith on the commissions and committees as they are formed just to water-down the volatile situation prevailing after a tense state,” said Kathir.