Tamil Nadu police on Monday told the Tamil Nadu Human Rights Commission that they had no objection to 28-year-old Lois Sofia returning to Canada to complete her studies. The Tamil Nadu Human Rights Commission was holding an inquiry in relation to her arrest by Puthukottai police on September 4.
Investigating officer Thirumalai, along with other officers concerned, told the Commission that they will not prevent her from travelling abroad.
The commission has asked for the inspector to give his statement in writing within a week and further order sub-inspector Latha to report for an inquiry to be held on the 26 of October with regards to the arrest of Sofia.
Sofia and her advocate, E Athisayakumar addressed members of the media and stated that she had been subject to severe mental harassment by the police following her arrest. Her advocate further added that Sofia has another year of studies left to complete her research in Canada.
Lois Sofia was taken into custody after a complaint issued by Tamil Nadu BJP Party President Tamilisai Soundararajan for shouting slogans against the BJP on a flight the two had been travelling in from Chennai.
In a video clip which emerged following the incident, Tamilisai is seen outraged and confronting the student over her actions, “When I am taking my bag, a customer shouts 'BJP’s Fascist government down, down'. Is that freedom of speech?" she is heard shouting, even as a police try to pacify her.
Sofia was then booked under the Indian Penal Code Sections 290 (Punishment for public nuisance in cases not otherwise provided for), 505 (Statements Conducing to Public Mischief) as well as Section 75(1) of the Tamil Nadu City Police Act, 1888. Following the BJP leader’s written complaint, a trial in the district court remanded Sofia to custody for 15 days.