A day after an audio clip of a Tamil Nadu professor’s alleged attempts to lure female students into sex work went viral, the case has been handed over to the CB-CID. The Arupukottai police, who were handling the case, arrested Nirmala Devi of Virudhunagar’s Devanga Arts College on Monday evening from her residence.
The move to transfer the case comes after opposition parties in the state demanded that an impartial probe was necessary in the matter.
Female students who were offered an ‘opportunity’ to ‘become big’ with the help of ‘higher officials’ by the professor complained to the college authorities on March 19. Nirmala Devi was suspended on March 21 but no complaint was filed with the police. But on April 16, days after the audio clip went viral, massive protests were held outside the institute. Following public pressure, the institute went to the local police.
The Aruppukottai town police then registered a case under IPC Sections 370 (buying or disposing of any persons as slaves) and 511 (attempting to commit offence punishable with imprisonment for life or other imprisonment). Nirmala Devi has also been booked under Section 67 (publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form) of the Information Technology Act.
Investigating officials have recovered three phones from the professor and will be examining its contents. They are looking to find photos, phone numbers and call records that reveal the identities of the higher officials she was referring to.
“She is likely to be taken to the Madurai police after 5 pm today (Tuesday). For anyone investigating the matter, the first priority will be to understand how deep this case runs and get an idea of who is involved,” says an officer.
During the phone call, Nirmala Devi had claimed that she had access to Governor Banwarilal Purohit as well.
Following this, the CPI (M) Working Committee has asked the Madras High Court to take up the issue suo moto and investigate all those involved in the racket.
“If this investigation has to take place properly, the Central government has to rescind the appointment of TN Governor Banwarilal Purohit,” the statement said.
Three inquiries have also been ordered into the allegations. First by the college, second by Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) Vice-Chancellor PP Chellathurai and the third by Governor Banwarilal Purohit.
DMK working president MK Stalin had further said that is “confusing” that the Governor himself has ordered for an inquiry in the matter. He claimed that only a CBI enquiry under the supervision of the High Court will bring out the truth.