Collector accused of victimising CEO’s differently-abled daughter

KP Maheshwari, the CEO for Dharmapuri district alleged that her daughter R Sangamapriya, (14), was targeted by Collector K Vivekanandhan as she had made several allegations against him. 

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Maheshwari’s said her daughter, was a student of Elakkyampatti Government Higher Secondary School and had trouble using her right hand since birth. 

Sangamapriya was among the 41 differently abled students from the district who had produced the required certificates to get one hour extension for every exam. The CEO claimed that she properly obtained the certificates to ensure that there was no room for a controversy, as Sangamapriya was the CEO’s daughter. 

“I had also spoken to the Collector regarding this in an open meeting,” Maheshwari said. 

“A few lensmen stormed into the room where my daughter was writing the examination last week and made her feel uncomfortable. On March 23, two men came to my house at night and gave a summons to my mother asking my daughter to appear before the medical board at 8.30 am the following day. They also warned that my daughter would not be allowed to write the exams thereafter if she failed to appear before the board,” the CEO said.

Sangamapriya told reporters that she was harassed over phone and had received messages claiming that she had fraudulently procured extra time for the exams. 

“I have lodged a complaint with Childline in this regard. They have taken a detailed written statement from me. Action should be taken against the Collector for targeting me over an issue with my mother,” she added.

Denying the allegations, Collector Vivekanandhan told reporters that he ordered an inquiry after receiving a complaint that a girl who looked normal was getting more time for writing the exams. 

“We cannot overlook an allegation levelled against someone just because she is the CEO’s daughter,” Vivekanandhan said. 

The Collector said he had ordered the Revenue Divisional Officer to conduct an inquiry into it, following which it was decided to subject the girl to medical examination, to ascertain if she was in fact differently abled and deserved an extra hour for every exam. 

“Since Sangamapriya did not appear before the medical board, I sent a report to the director of Government Examinations for further proceedings,” the Collector concluded.