Dharmapuri rape case: Second accused surrenders in Salem court

Ramesh, 22, who managed to escape from the police net, surrendered at the Judicial Magistrate II court around 12 noon. Magistrate Siva ordered him to be sent on judicial remand till November 19. He was then lodged at the Salem Central Prison. 

His surrender comes after another accused Sathish, 22 was arrested from a hideout place in Yercaud in Salem district on Sunday night.  Meanwhile, villagers of Sipling village in Dharmapuri district continued their protest for the third consecutive day on Monday seeking justice. They sought the death penalty for the duo, whose merciless act resulted in the death of the 16-year-old girl. 

The angry villagers also refused to receive the body of the girl from Dharmapuri GH until action is taken on cops for refusing to act on the complaint of the victim’s family. The girl’s father Annamalai, a daily wager alleged that police refused to receive his complaint and demanded Rs 6000 as bribe. 

The victim Sowmya, studying 12th standard at a government school in Paapireddypatty had gone to the nearby field to attend nature’s call on 5 November, when the accused persons raped her. The police, however, refused to book a rape case and instead registered a sexual assault case. The girl died at Dharmapuri GH on Saturday due to complications. 

Meanwhile, the Kottapatty Police Inspector Muthukrishnan was shunted to Armed Reserve and instead Harur station inspector Lakshmi was appointed as the investigating officer. The Harur Assistant Collector Punniakodi has been inquiring into the police excess for further action against the cops.